Hearts manager Craig Levein has hit back at Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes’s assertion that ‘Hearts always think they should get penalty kicks’. In the aftermath of the Dons 2-0 victory over Hearts on Saturday, Levein said he felt Hearts ‘didn’t get the big decisions’. McInnes responded by saying “Hearts will always think they should get penalties. The referee had a good game. The only thing I would question potentially – and I haven’t seen it again – was if Naismith’s yellow should have been a red. Managers moan about this and that”
Levein was scathing about the Aberdeen boss during his media conference today. He told BBC Sport Scotland:
“It’s double standards,” he said before saying McInnes “was talking tripe”.
“I’ve got articles where McInnes has complained at times about the officials already this season.” Levein went on. “This is the same Derek McInnes that was on the phone to me three weeks ago crying his eyes out about decisions that he got in the Celtic game and the sending off against Rangers. He even said to me, and it’s funny, he has stopped complaining about referees because he felt he got more decisions going for him when he didn’t complain.”
The Hearts boss also accused McInnes of trying to get Gorgie striker Steven Naismith ordered off.
Away from this spat, Levein said his team were in confident mood ahead of the visit of Hamilton Academical to Tynecastle on Wednesday (kick-off 3.00pm)
“I felt good about a lot of the stuff we did on Saturday. Our football was better – having Steven Naismith back in the team helps that.
“We get Arnaud Djoum back who’s one of our best players, so I feel good about this match. I know Hamilton have had a good result at the weekend against Kilmarnock, but I feel the players are getting their confidence back and that’ll help us in this match and in the game afterwards.”
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
