Hibs accept Marc McNulty ban after SFA punish striker for stamp on Hearts star Sean Clare

Hibs decide against contesting offer of two-game ban

Marc McNulty will serve a two-match ban for violent conduct after Hibs decided to accept the punishment.

The striker was charged by the SFA for stamping on Hearts midfielder Sean Clare during Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat Easter Road.

Despite referee Kevin Clancy and the east-stand linesman having a full view of the incident, no action was taken at the time.

Marc McNulty will serve a two-game ban for violent conduct. Picture: SNS

The charge was handed down on Thursday morning. Had Hibs appealed then McNulty would have been free to face Aberdeen this weekend with the hearing not scheduled until Monday.

Instead, the club have accepted the decision, meaning McNulty will be absent from this Saturday’s match and the March 14th contest against St Johnstone.

Manager Jack Ross had hinted the club were going to accept the ban earlier on Thursday afternoon.

The head coach told the media: “I wasn't even aware of the incident when I came to do my initial post-match interviews.

"But I've watched it now and I'm not surprised by what we've received today.

"I don't want to prejudice anything we do moving forward but when I say I'm not surprised that we've received a notice of complaint, I think that gives you my best indication of (my views on the incident) because the footage speaks for itself in that respect."

He added: “You can't get inside people's heads but football is a very emotive game and things happen in split seconds. But in terms of what the footage shows, it's not great.

"Marc isn't the type of guy who gets involved in incidents like that, not in my experience of him. Anyone who knows him would say he's a very even-tempered, relaxed, easy-going guy.

"If (a ban) is the outcome then it is a blow for us as we don't have a plethora of striking options."