Hearts' Sean Clare told referee he felt a stamp from Hibs' Marc McNulty

Hearts midfielder Sean Clare is grounded after a challenge from Hibs' Marc McNulty

Hearts midfielder Sean Clare believes there is enough video evidence to show Hibs striker Marc McNulty stamping on him during the Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

The players collided in the first half on the touchline and McNulty appeared to stand on Clare’s back as the Englishman lay grounded. Hearts won the match 3-1, with Clare scoring the opening goal via a penalty.

McNulty, on loan at Hibs from Sunderland, may find himself punished retrospectively by the Scottish Football Association given referee Kevin Clancy took no action at the time of the incident.

Clare expects video evidence to decide the matter but said he told the referee he felt a stamp.

“There were enough cameras there to answer those questions. I haven’t seen it back but I felt like it was a stamp at the time and I’ll let people make their minds up,” he said.

“I said to the ref I thought it was a stamp. I was on the floor so couldn’t see it. I haven’t seen it myself but I have been told it’s not great. But I'm not bothered about it now, winning the game was the main thing.

“If people see it they see it, it’s not for me to decide whatever it is. In the end, it was irrelevant to the result.”

He calmly converted from the spot to put Hearts 1-0 ahead after Hibs midfielder Scott Allan handled in the area. Subsequent goals by Oliver Bozanic and Conor Washington secured the victory before Melker Hallberg’s late consolation for the hosts.

Speaking about his penalty, Clare added: “It was maybe the most high pressure one I’ve taken. I just try and block things like that out when I’m taking them.

“The more pressure you let in the less cleanly you’ll strike it. I was happy it went in at the end of the day. I practiced my penalties even when I wasn’t on them and thankfully I’m putting them away at the moment. Hopefully I can continue doing that.

“The first goal for us is definitely so vital. We’re getting better defensively and now I know we’ll create and score.‘If we can go and win games 1-0, then we’re more than happy with that.

“So the first goal was definitely important as it gave us a platform in the game. It made Hibs become more expansive and we were able to exploit that and get two more goals.”