The Jambos sealed three points to consolidate fourth spot in the Premiership table
Steven Naismith reckons Hearts were denied a stonewall penalty in their win over St Johnstone and believes his side have been penalised for lesser challenges this season.
The Jambos boss was shouting for the spot-kick when Alan Forrest was felled inside the box within the first 20 minutes. Referee John Beaton waved away the claims much to the chagrin of the manager but it mattered not when Lawrence Shankland eventually hit the winner with a stroke of luck.
Even though three points were certain, Naismith expressed his displeasure with the ruling at the end of the game. “We’ve been penalised for doing less,” Naismith remarked.
“Decision-making matters; VAR is not the solution. It occurs each week. We had a productive meeting with the match officials over the week, and it went extremely well. Yes, it’s a penalty all day, but are the officials officiating the match differently now that they have a suspicion that VAR may intervene? What happens is that it is not delivered if it falls short of the requirements for being plain and evident. But there’s no arguing that it’s a penalty.”
Liam Boyce may have scored the goal for Shankland, but the former was given credit. Additionally, Naismith stated, “Shanks has been fortunate.” Boyce has finished all of the leg work, and it’s a controlled finish, but it slides in after coming off Shanks’ calf. Undoubtedly, Shanks is claiming it!
The manager was somewhat aback to discover that Hearts had won three straight in the Premiership, a feat they had not accomplished since 2022.
We hadn’t won three straight league games since January 2022, which is amazing. That is amazing for a Hearts club. We have to put that to use now that we have completed it today. We need to be consistent in maintaining clean sheets, creating opportunities, scoring goals, and winning games, as I stated last week and the week before. Thus, the afternoon has been enjoyable.
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