Hearts lose appeal against Marc Leonard’s red card

Hearts have lost their appeal against Marc Leonard’s red card at Livingston on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Jambos midfielder, on loan from Birmingham, was sent off in stoppage time of the 2-2 William Hill Premiership draw for pulling back Robbie Muirhead near the halfway line to prevent the Livi striker going through on goal.

A fast-track tribunal hearing on Wednesday agreed that referee Kevin Clancy was correct to issue a red card and Leonard will miss the crucial home game against Motherwell on Saturday.

Confirming the appeal on Wednesday morning before the hearing, Hearts boss Derek McInnes, whose side are one point ahead of Rangers at the top of the table, said: “Having watched it back, the Livingston player is in his own half, there is a long way to go.

“Jamie McCart’s actually got a bit of a head of steam in the same channel and the likelihood is he would get back before Robbie could get a clean shot on goal.

“But also for me, even more pivotal is Jordi Altena’s position, he is cutting across on the angle, I’m almost hundred percent certain that Robbie Muir is not going to have the speed or the capability to get straight in on your goal without having to beat one of our players.

“And for me that then eradicates the clear and obvious opportunity, and it’s not to say it’s not still a chance for Livingston, I get that, but he’s not going to get a clean run in on goal.”