Esmael Goncalves free to face Rangers after winning red card appeal

Hearts forward Esmael Goncalves is free to play against Rangers on Saturday after his red card against Kilmarnock last weekend was rescinded.

Hearts Esmael Concalves is red carded against Kilmarnock. Picture: SNS

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Goncalves was sent off by referee Stephen Finnie during the 1-0 victory in Ayrshire after the Portuguese tangled with Kilmarnock’s Kirk Broadfoot. Goncalves had his hair pulled by Broadfoot during the incident and the defender was also dismissed.

Hearts appealed the decision after reviewing their own footage of the incident and the SFA judicial panel today decided to rescind Goncalves’ red card. He is now available for selection for the Jambos’ trip to Ibrox this weekend.

Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder Don Cowie has signed a one-year contract extension.The club announced the 34-year-old had committed himself until 2019.

The former Scotland international has scored four goals in 57 appearances since joining from Wigan in January 2016.