Alexandros Kyziridis opens up on Hearts penalty claim at Motherwell as he admits he doesn't watch football
Greek winger reveals his feelings after the 1-1 draw at Fir Park
Alexandros Kyziridis admitted he was in disbelief when referee Steven McLean refused Hearts a penalty at Motherwell. After consulting a TV monitor on VAR’s advice, McLean concluded that Tawanda Maswanhise’s clip on Kyziridis’ foot was not enough contact to warrant a penalty-kick. Hearts were unhappy with the official’s decision as they left Fir Park with a 1-1 draw.
Kyziridis was unequivocal in his view that Maswanhise fouled him as Jordi Altena’s 66th-minute corner-kick arrived in the Motherwell penalty area. The forward stepped across Kyziridis and clipped the winger’s foot, but McLean allowed play to continue. VAR advised him to visit the pitchside screen for a review and the referee decided his initial decision was correct.
Lawrence Shankland’s equaliser cancelled out a Stephen Kingsley own goal which had given Motherwell an early lead in the match. Hearts remain top of the Premiership and looking to win their first top-flight title for 66 years. They left North Lanarkshire with a sense of injustice after the penalty decision.
Asked if it was a penalty, Kyziridis gave a stern look. “One hundred per cent,” he replied. “It’s weird because 99 percent of the time, when they call a referee to see the situation, every time they give it. This time, somehow, he didn’t give it but it is what it is. I have no idea what he had in his mind. I just felt the touch and I fell down.
“I felt something on my leg otherwise I would never jump. For me it is a clear penalty but the decision stands. We can not change anything so we need to be focused on Wednesday. When he went there (monitor) I thought 100% he will give it. He didn’t and it is what it is. I think you've seen it. Everyone can see it except the referee.”
Whether the decision becomes pivotal in the title race remains to be seen. Hearts were seeking three points at Fir Park but Motherwell’s impressive home form this season means a point is no disgrace. The Tynecastle side now face Falkirk on Wednesday in Edinburgh before a final-day trip to Celtic Park. Kyziridis stressed that implications of the penalty call can’t be allowed to infiltrate Hearts’ minds right now.
“I don’t want to think about that right now. We need to be focused on Wednesday. This game is over already so we just need to look at that. It’s an important point at the end of the game but still when you can get a win and three points, why not? We will see in the future. Of course, everyone is disappointed with the result but that’s a good mentality because we want to win every game from day one. We are almost at the end of the season and this is what I like.”
Hearts are preparing for a dramatic last-day battle with Celtic in Glasgow for the right to be crowned champions. Head coach Derek McInnes said several weeks ago that he thought the title race would go to the wire. “We will see,” said Kyziridis. “Do you think we are not ready? One hundred percent. We are ready for everything.”
Motherwell can dent Celtic’s title ambitions when the two clubs meet at Fir Park on Wednesday. “They can do whatever they want. I can’t say anything about that. My job is to play well so my team can win,” said Kyziridis. He admitted the injustice from Saturday night can be used as motivation to push Hearts towards the title. “Right now all the players are disappointed but they know this point could be a huge point at the end of the season so everyone is focused for Wednesday.”
Achilles injuries to Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard at Fir Park left the two Hearts players devastated and their seasons over. Both will be absent for a “significant period of time”, according to McInnes. “It’s tough. I don’t know how serious they are, but we will have news in the next few days. I hope it will not be so bad,” said Kyziridis, who replaced Leonard at half-time.
“We have a huge squad and every player is important. As you can see there are many players who can adapt so fast, so that’s why we are calm. Of course, in every team every year, there are injuries. The good thing is we are a family and every player that comes from the bench or the stands is 100 percent focused to give everything to the team.”
Rangers’ trip to Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon was always likely to capture the interest of Hearts fans. Their team moved four points clear of Celtic at the top of the league with Saturday’s point, although Kyziridis admitted he is not one for watching his chosen profession on television.
“I don’t watch football. Honestly. Maybe some people don’t believe me. It depends on my mood. I like to play, I don’t like to watch. Even the Champions League finals, I don’t watch. It’s not my interest. I spend time with my family and my kid. I don’t have time to watch football but this is personal. Many players watch football to become better or take skills from top-level players, but I’m different. I don’t like it. I have always been like this. If you ask my friends and family everyone will say the same.”