Hearts lose appeal against Leonard's red card

Hearts midfielder Marc Leonard will be suspended for Saturday's home game with Motherwell after his red card away to Livingston was upheld by a Scottish FA fast-track panel.

The 24-year-old, on loan from Birmingham City, was sent off in stoppage time of Sunday's 2-2 draw for a cynical pull on Robbie Muirhead near the halfway line to prevent the striker breaking clear.

Hearts appealed against the decision but those at the tribunal hearing agreed referee Kevin Clancy was correct to send the player off.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hearts head coach Derek McInnes said the incident was not a "clear and obvious opportunity" for Livingston to grab a last-gasp winner.

"The Livingston player is in his own half, there is a long way to go," he said.

"Jamie McCart's actually got a bit of a head of steam in the same channel and the likelihood is he would get back before Robbie could get a clean shot on goal.

"But also for me, even more pivotal is Jordi Altena's position, he is cutting across on the angle, I'm almost hundred percent certain that Robbie is not going to have the speed or the capability to get straight in on your goal without having to beat one of our players.

"And, for me, that then eradicates the clear and obvious opportunity, and it's not to say it's not still a chance for Livingston, I get that, but he's not going to get a clean run in on goal."