Motherwell-Hearts fall-out: Debate rages on flashpoint, no 'long faces' and significant injury update

The teams were locked at 1-1 after 65 minutes when Hearts substitute Alexandros Kyziridis appeared to be tripped by Tawanda Maswanhise near the byline following a short corner.

Referee Steven McLean was called to his monitor by VAR but surprisingly opted against awarding a penalty. McInnes described McLean as looking ‘unsettled’ throughout a night when Hearts earned what their manager clearly considered was a good point in the circumstances.

McInnes noted the kerfuffle when Hearts were awarded what some considered a debatable penalty against Motherwell after Stephen Welsh was deemed to have kicked Pierre Landry Kabore in the head during the hosts’ 3-1 comeback victory at Tynecastle in April.

The incident was brought up by Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou in the run up to this re-match at Fir Park. McInnes suggested this was playing on McLean’s mind when he went to the monitor.

“A lot was made about the Kabore penalty at Tynecastle, a lot of conjecture," he said. "A lot of people with opinions. It was clear it was a penalty kick – the boy was kicked in the head. It was brought up again this week. For whatever reason, we go into the game against Rangers last week and their manager is calling for a strong referee against Hearts. When it gets to this stage of the season, every decision is pivotal.

“The explanation I got was yes there is contact but not enough contact,” added McInnes. “Anyone that has played football knows that Kyziridis is sprinting four or five yards, off the mark sharp. Why would he go down? It’s a short corner we are trying to work.”

McLean appeared to take the view that the Hearts winger made more of the challenge than was necessary. Kyziridis did roll about theatrically.

“I thought the referee had a poor night tonight,” reflected McInnes. “We are all guilty of having poor nights. I’ve had millions of them. But he’s had a poor night. I did not think he looked settled the whole game. And I think that penalty incident was a huge moment. Obviously VAR brought him over to the monitor, which was 100 per cent the right decision. It should have been a penalty kick.”

Although Hearts could not secure the win they came for, McInnes said it was not the main source of disappointment from a night when two significant players saw their season end prematurely. In the case of the on-loan midfielder Marc Leonard, who was helped off just before half time, this might be the last game he plays for Hearts. Defender Craig Halkett was carried off in the second half and McInnes said both players suffered the same Achilles injury.

“We are disappointed for the two boys who are injured more than anything,” he said. “Both will be a significant time out. Both will be leaving (Fir Park) on crutches. I have had one player in my 18 years as a manager – Big Marvin Elliott at Bristol City – I can remember it happening to. That’s two in the one game, which is so unusual.”

As for Hearts’ title chances, he stressed that everyone else would want to be where the Tynecastle side are now – top. Whatever happens in Sunday’s Old Firm game, that will remain the case with only two games left.

“I don’t want long faces,” he said. “You saw the fans’ response out there at the end. They recognise we came to win and we did everything to win, and they did everything they could to try to help us win. They know who we represent. They were brilliant at the end there. We will be ready to go again on Wednesday (v Falkirk). If we can win this game on Wednesday that will be ten points from four post-split games. That is a brilliant return.”

Askou has his say on talking points

Motherwell manger Jens Berthel Askou agreed 100 per cent with McLean on all the game’s major talking points, including his own team being denied a penalty when Maswanhise was upended by Beni Baningime in the box with eight minutes left. McLean waved Motherwell’s appeals away and VAR did not step in.

There was a VAR check following Lawrence Shankland’s equaliser – Hearts had gone behind to a Stephen Kingsley own goal earlier – after 43 minutes. On-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh fell to the turf at Shankland’s feet when a cross came over before the Hearts striker was on hand to lash in after Calum Ward saved Michael Steinwender’s fierce angled shot.

“I don’t think we should have had a penalty,” said Askou, with reference to the Mashanishe-Baningime incident. “I don’t think that defender is doing anything illegal. And I don’t think there is anything in it for us in the goal they score in the first half. From outside it looked like there was a push, but it wasn’t. So I think that is a good call as well to let that goal stand.

As for most contentious call of all, the Kyziridis penalty incident, Askou’s belief was as unshakeable as that of his opposite number. Only the Motherwell manager was adamant that it wasn’t a penalty.

“You can see there is a little bit of contact,” he said. “But not enough to drop yourself to the ground like that and make it look like it is the worst tackle in the history of football. Three good calls from the referee.

“I have to admit I was shocked he said no, it was not a penalty. We have had so many crazy things this season. Even last time we played them, they got a bizarre penalty at Tynecastle to decide the game. It made me still believe in the football gods a little bit when he decided not to give a penalty.”

He praised McLean for having the courage of his convictions. “I suppose every referee that gets to referee in the top league of any country, they have that strength,” he said. “Obviously it is difficult in a game of this importance. But Steve is a very experienced referee so of course he has to have that strength. But I don’t see it as a very difficult call.”