For the second time in as many weeks, Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart is at the centre of some controversy with match officials, this time after his red card against St Mirren at Love Street yesterday.
A couple of weeks ago Stewart was initially awarded a late penalty kick against Aberdeen after going down under a challenge by Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield at Tynecastle, a decision that was eventually overturned after the Wheatfield Stand linesman intervened and changed the referee’s mind.
Despite several looks at the TV evidence of that particular incident, I have still not made up my mind what the correct decision actually was in that game, but the sense of anger felt by the Hearts support after it tended not to be over the decision itself – it was more the nature of it i.e. the fact that you hardly ever see assistant referees taking it upon themselves to overrule the referee in big games.
Well, if you think THAT was a slightly uncommon occurrence, fast forward to the 42nd minute of yesterday’s match at Love Street and tell me how often THIS sort of thing happens: after Stewart evades a couple of challenges, bursts positively towards the St Mirren penalty area and is eventually tackled with referee Mike McCurry awarding a corner to Hearts, subsequent discussions involving the referee, his linesman and then the FOURTH official, which last goodness knows how long, results in the latter dictating that McCurry should show Stewart the red card, allegedly for an off-the-ball scuffle with Saints’ Hugh Murray.
Now, once again, if this ended up being the correct decision, then you do have to give those who awarded it credit – this is what the refereeing team are there for after all, and if they worked out the correct decision between them, then fair enough. Good work, gentlemen.
But seriously, how often does this sort of thing happen, especially in Scotland? When was the last time we saw a fourth official drawing something to the ref’s attention that had escaped the eye of ALL of the on-field officials, all of whom (or at least two of them) had a better view than anyone who was on the touchline? I have a feeling this is not the first time it’s EVER happened, as a hazy memory tells me that this is perhaps how Zinedine Zidane was sent off in the last World Cup Final (could be wrong though?), but it’s certainly not common, and you have to feel a certain degree of sympathy with the likes of Csaba Laszlo if he starts thinking his time is being picked on as a result of this.
Like I said before, if this was the correct decision then fair enough, but without attempting to sound even more paranoid than normal, it does seem as though the SFA are managing to continue to find new and innovative ways of getting at our club whenever possible. I really do struggle to see the same thing happening here if we had been say Celtic or Rangers…..in fact, I’ll almost guarantee you that it simply would not happen.
And that is the big problem isn’t it? A complete and utter lack of consistency.
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he was right to send him off
I must agree that Hearts have been on the wrong end of officials decisions in recent times and once more brings into question the role of the fourth official within the game ,, in normal circumstances their only visible purpose is to marshal the technical areas and oversee substitutions ,, other than that they are largely invisable during the vast majority of matches ,, I wonder if Hearts are being used as crash test dummies to road test some new secretive initiative being implemented in order to justify the elevated position of the fourth officials role in the game ,, either that or Michael Stewart has been indulging in illicit shenanigans with one of their wives ( joke ) ….!!!
sounds like a similar situation to when player was wrongly sent off in celtic v allbourg game
Well I have already spoken about my view on Stewarts temper issues, but I would love to see the incident itself. It was only a few weeks ago against Aberdeen that he wasn’t awarded that penalty and I suppose in the end it looked about right. I think as long as we don’t have use cameras match officials are needed, but hey ho my tune might have been very different if we had lost :).
Also, Hearts need to do something about Stewart, we where bloody lucky not to lose and I am not pleased with him resorting to his old antics!
The incident doesn’t feature in the BBC higlights – presumably the camera didn’t catch it. Yes – you can only laugh at the thought of a 4th official having the temerity to draw Mr McCurry’s attention to an off-the-ball incident involving his beloved Rangers, and then instructing him to send off Barry Ferguson.
Like that would ever happen…….
Hmm, can’t see the incident on the highlights. Sounds like something Stewart would do so am not surprised one bit.
When will he grow up!?! McCurry’s performancing was shocking though!
My old man before his demise ,, alway,s maintained that you should never put Yourself down as an orderly queue was always in place to attend to that need ,, and Mr McCurry,s credentials ( or lack of them ) would appear to have bolstered that assertion ,, Mr Stewart may not be a role model by any matter of means within the game currently ,, but given the revelations surrounding the randy rev in recent times his ( Stewart,s ) credentials are at the very least on par with the current criteria set by our governing body in terms of behavior and practices ……….
wahaah haha not entirely sure what you’re trying to say there.
Clarification ; Mike McCurry is an absolute disgrace in every conceivable circumstance immaginable and the fact that the SFA / SPL have endorsed his clearance to officiate at the highest level makes them every bit as questionable ,, so what I,m trying to say is that the tail is wagging the dug ,, the professional game is being run by total amateurs ,, and the now weekly outcome is ludicrous decisions being made by and upheld by the lunatics that are now running the asylum ,, presently ,, Hearts in general & Michael Stewart in particular would appear to be the principle casualties of their irrational ,, mickey mouse set up ,, but dont worry ,, it,s just your turn at the minute ,, tomorrow night it may well be someone else,s …….
…about time it was Hibs wasn’t it?!
I think their goalkeeping nightmare poses more of a threat at the minute MrH ……….”couldnae keep hens oot a close ” springs to mind …….!!!!!