McLEISH 'WE SHOULD HAVE HAD A PENALTY'

Rangers manager Alex McLeish believes they were denied crucial points against Hearts by referee Kenny Clark.

McLeish claims the Scottish champions were denied two penalties in a game which left them trailing Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Hearts by 11 points.

The last meeting between the two sides at Tynecastle also proved to be a controversial affair when Rangers were handed a last-gasp penalty, which allowed them to win the game and Dado Prso and Saulius Mikoliunas were both sent off.

The decisions went in Rangers' favour on that occasion but it was Hearts, who still boast a 100% league record, who benefited this time.

Skipper Barry Ferguson was tripped by Paul Hartley in the box but his complaints succeeded only in earning him a yellow card before the referee ruled Robbie Neilson's last-minute handball was accidental.

Accident or not, McLeish insists the penalty should have been given.

He said: "The ball was heading for the top corner and it hit Robbie Neilson's hand.

"The question is was it accidental? Was it ball to hand? Under the rules, they say it was accidental.

"But I've always been of the opinion, even if it was my own player, that if you stop a netbound shot with a part of your anatomy that is not supposed to be used for football, then it's a penalty."

Speaking of the decision to caution Ferguson, the Rangers manager added: "It's disappointing because I don't think Ferguson is that kind of guy.

"I did feel we didn't get a lot of decisions today at all but, some days you get them, some days you don't."

Hartley agreed with McLeish, admitting he did make contact with Ferguson and insisting his Scotland team-mate did not deserve the yellow card.

He said: "I have said to Barry that I clipped him. I didn't mean it, I just mistimed the ball but he got booked for it and it was never a booking.

"Maybe Kenny Clark will have a look at the video. I caught Barry's heel as he went down so it was never a dive."

Hartley says Rangers' anger at the handball incident may also be justified but pointed out Hearts had a decent penalty claim of their own when Stephen Simmons was shoved by Julien Rodriguez.

He said: "I've seen them given but I don't think Robbie could get out of the way. The same goes for the one on Simmons but we had a bit of luck in the end and they could have had two penalties."

Hearts captain Steven Pressley believes win can act as a huge psychological boost.

Pressley told Setanta: "You can see by the reaction of the supporters just how much it meant for the club.

"We have had a fantastic start to the season but I said this would give us a big psychological lift and it did.

"During my time at the club, we have put together some fantastic performances against Rangers but it is all about winning."

Hearts manager George Burley has backed Rangers to claw their way back into the title race and he insists he would still be satisfied with a third-place finish despite their lofty position.

He said: "Nothing will be decided today. Rangers will still be right up there at the end of the season.

"Our thoughts have never changed. If we finish third this season, it will be a tremendous season.

"Last season the club finished 42 points behind the Old Firm. We have made amazing progress and, if we can qualify for Europe and finish third, it will be great."

Hearts took the lead with just 14 minutes on the clock when Hartley spotted Roman Bednar unmarked and in a prime position in front of goal.

The Czech star connected with the inswinger to send a header past helpless Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.

There was worse news for Rangers when Nacho Novo limped off with an ankle injury five minutes later and was replaced by Francis Jeffers. He will have a scan but is set to miss the Champions League game against Inter Milan.

Hearts also had their injury woes and goalscorer Bednar retreated to the dressing room with suspected ligament damage and was replaced by Simmons.

Takos Fyssas, an injury doubt before the game, also hobbled off with a relapse of his knee problem, making way for Jamie McAllister, but he is expected to be back in action soon.

Simmons was involved in one of the flashpoints almost immediately when he appeared to be pushed in the back by Rodriguez.

Ferguson was booked with 20 minutes remaining for going to ground under pressure from Hartley, the referee clearly unimpressed by the appeals of the Rangers captain.

With time running out, Rangers tried to pile the pressure on their hosts and Argentinian striker Federico Nieto was introduced to the action before squandering a great opportunity.

With a minute to go, there was still time for more controversy.

A Jeffers strike hit the hand of Neilson but the referee signalled for play to continue and Hearts held on for the win

Taken from sportinglife.com