CLEAR THE TYNECASTLE TWO

HEARTS captain Steven Pressley last night called on the SFA to clear the Tynecastle Two - as Neil Lennon and Paul Hartley braced themselves for trial byTV.

Record Sport can reveal both Celtic skipper Lennon and Tynecastle playmaker Hartley face being carpeted by the beaks for off-the-ball flashpoints during Sunday's stormy table-top clash.

Lennon was caught on camera putting the boot into Pressley while Hartley was pictured lashing out at Celtic full-back Ross Wallace - in incidents missed by blundering referee Iain Brines.

Now the SFA are set to probe both flareups but Pressley is adamant Lennon should be let off with his petulant lunge - and is hoping team-mate Hartley is also in the clear. And Pressley said: "I know Neil had a kick at me but I see no reason to haul himover the coals.

"I was trying to use my body to shield the ball and Neil obviously got frustrated. It all happened so quickly that it's difficult for me to say what went on but what I will say is I don't think anybody should be looking to make a big deal out of this.

"It was just a flashpoint in the game between two competitors who were looking to win a match.

"OK, I took a sore one on the ankle but these things happen. It's meant to be a man's game - there's no need for people to be poring over every little single thing that goes on out there.

"I don't think there's any need to take it any further and I would hope the same rule would apply to Paul.

"Yes, sometimes players do regrettable things in the heat of a game and I'm not looking to condone that because,as a father myself,I know we have a responsibility to set standards for younger players.

"But everything is scrutinised so much these days it becomes frustrating for players. Ten or 15 years ago there would be mass brawls on the park week in week out but people just got on with it."

Celtic kid Wallace - who was on the receiving end of a lunge from Hartley - wasn't quite as forgiving.

He said: "Tynecastle is always an intimidating place. But I blocked Hartley in the box and the next thing I knew he was taking a swipe at me after the ball had gone.

"It's disappointing from a player of his experience and you really don't expect that kind of thing. But we had just scored to go3 - 2up and I can understand it was just sheer frustration from his point of view.

"I was surprised but these things happen."

The two cases are now likely to be considered at the next meeting of the SFA disciplinary committee on January 26.

A one-match ban would come into force immediately if the players are found guilty of red-card offences, ruling Lennon out of the home game against Dundee United.

A suspension for Hartley would be even more costly because he would miss the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle at a time when Rudi Skacel's booking against Celtic puts him out of the match against Kilmarnock.

And Pressley is already scheduled to miss the derby match as well after his booking in Sunday's frantic match with Celtic pushed him over the disciplinary threshold and landed him two-match ban.

Meanwhile, Hearts are considering an appeal against the red card shown to Takis Fyssas for allegedly tripping Shaun Maloney and denying him a goalscoring opportunity.

They are furious their man was sent off while Bobo Balde escaped with a yellow card for a similar foul on Deividas Cesnauskis

Taken from the Daily Record