Hearts boss stands firm in elbow row

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein today insisted he stands by his opinion that Celtic star John Hartson was the guilty party in the incident involving Andy Webster during Sunday’s SPL clash at Tynecastle.

The Gorgie chief pointed the finger at the Welshman after watching a video of the flashpoint, only for Parkhead manager Martin O’Neill to launch a stout defence of his player after scrutinising the same video yesterday.

"I have watched the video again and have not changed my opinion," said Levein. "I stand by what I said and no amount of muddying the waters will change my mind.

"The matter is now closed as far as I am concerned and we have an important game against Partick Thistle tomorrow to focus on."

O’Neill told the club’s official website, www.celticfc.net: "John Hartson has been accused of elbowing Andy Webster in the face - on the first viewing of the tape I can see why that looks to be the case.

"However, if you take it frame by frame you will find that the arm supposed to have done the damage does not belong to John Hartson - therefore John Hartson is not guilty of elbowing Andy Webster in the face as has been reported.

"The linesman called the referee over immediately because he had spotted something and, on the assistant’s advice, he administered a yellow card to John for barging into the player when the ball was out of play. The linesman has been proved to have called it correctly."

Taken from the Scotsman