Banned Hearts midfielder Scott Robinson must apologise

HEARTS midfielder Scott Robinson must apologise 
to save his Tynecastle 
career after refusing to take his place amongst the substitutes for Saturday’s win over Aberdeen. The 20-year-old has been banned from 
Riccarton this week and will attend a disciplinary 
hearing on Monday, when club officials will expect him to say sorry.

Robinson is desperate to stay with the club he has supported since childhood, but is 
unhappy that talks over a new contract have yet to begin, with his current deal expiring in June. As one of the lower 
earners amongst the senior squad, he has also found recent 
wages delays difficult.

He snapped at the weekend when manager John McGlynn read his name out amongst the substitutes. Robinson was irked that Mehdi Taouil had been named ahead of him in the starting line-up and refused to be a substitute. He was then ordered to sit in the stand, with youngster Adam King promoted to the bench in his place. He is not allowed to train with Hearts this week and has been told to cool off before meeting senior club officials on Monday.

Hearts are adamant that

Robinson must show remorse for his actions, but sources within Tynecastle say he can still have a future there. Whether he is disciplined further

will depend on the outcome of Monday’s meeting.

Sources close to Robinson say he will be advised to apologise. There are, however, “mitigating circumstances” and that his rash actions are out of character for a player normally very level-headed.

Ironically, Robinson could have been in pole position to play for Hearts at St Johnstone this weekend, with Taouil

suffering from a groin injury. Jason Holt is still absent due to ankle ligament damage and Dylan McGowan has only just returned to training. Robinson, though, will not be included in the squad for Saturday.

Ryan Stevenson is fit, however, and Arvydas Novikovas has trained and should be available.