Hearts punish dive by Ramon

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS striker Ramon Pereira has been disciplined by the club for his blatant dive against Motherwell, boss John Robertson revealed today.

The Spaniard’s theatrical attempt to win a penalty after a challenge by keeper Gordon Marshall incensed the Gorgie chief, who wasted little time in carpeting the former Raith Rovers front man.

Pereira’s second-half tumble as the ten-man Jambos battled to force their way back into the game after Richie Foran’s spot-kick opener in the first period brought stinging criticism from Marshall and earned a caution from referee John Rowbotham. He also received a tongue lashing from team-mate Mark de Vries. And the talented forward found himself in trouble with his boss, Robertson insisting that such behaviour is unacceptable.

Describing Pereira’s actions as "uncalled for", Robertson also revealed he had spoken to Patrick Kisnorbo after he was sent off for diving in the UEFA Cup defeat against Schalke at Murrayfield, the dismissal ruling the Australian out of tomorrow’s must-win Group A clash against Basel in Switzerland.

"I have had a chat with Ramon after Saturday’s incident and dealt with it internally," said Robertson, who would not be drawn on whether the punishment amounted to a fine. "He has been left in no doubt it is unacceptable. I don’t want players going down in the box looking for penalties - what Ramon did was uncalled for and I don’t want to see that kind of thing going on. He got a three-point booking for it and it was a silly caution to pick up.

"I also chatted to Paddy after the Murrayfield match and both have been dealt with internally. If players are brought down, clipped and go down or sometimes fall accidentally then you can live with that. But when there is no contact such as Saturday’s incident, it is disappointing."

As a player, Robertson was as cute as they come in enticing defenders to make ill-advised challenges in the danger area. And while insisting he has no problems with players using their brains to earn penalties, diving will not be tolerated.

Speaking before boarding the club’s charter flight to Switzerland for tomorrow’s crunch tie in the Stadion St Jakob Park, he said: "Players can get little touches and go down - I have done it myself. Sometimes you can also manipulate penalties by going across an opponent knowing they are going to put in a tackle and you knock the ball past them and let them bring you down.

"We have done what we have to do with both players and hopefully there will be no repeat."

Meanwhile, Hearts skipper Steven Pressley has dealt Robertson a UEFA Cup scare after being laid low by another stomach virus. The Scotland star has been struck by a number of illnesses in recent months and missed training yesterday after being hit by another bug.

The skipper flew out to Switzerland today and is battling to make the big kick-off.

However, Robertson is hopeful his captain will line up in his usual place at the centre of the Jambos’ defence and the player himself is determined to shrug off the effects of this latest setback for a game which Hearts must win to keep alive their hopes of progress from Group A.

Midfielder Phil Stamp could be involved at some stage tomorrow after shaking off a calf strain, although Robertson admitted that Kevin McKenna is "struggling" to make the kick-off having injured a knee moments after coming on as a second-half substitute against the Steelmen.

Jamie McAllister also suffered a knee knock on Saturday but the indications appear more encouraging for the former Aberdeen and Livingston star.

Taken from the Scotsman