'You can't kick someone on the head and expect to stay on the pitch' Pundits Stewart and Sutton clash over Wighton's red card flashpoint in Hearts win

Chris Sutton (right) and Stephen Craigen were involved in the heated post-match debate.

Jamie Walker’s penalty midway through the second half provided the Betfred Cup group stage win for Robbie Neilson’s side but the Premier Sports duo didn’t believe the spot-kick was merited.

However their opinions differed when it came to Craig Wighton’s clash with Daniel McKay.

Chris Sutton and Stephen Craigen believed the flashpoint – where McKay was caught in the face by the Hearts striker as he fell to the ground – was dangerous play, but former Hearts and Hibs midfielder Stewart disagreed, insisting the action couldn’t be classed as deliberate so shouldn’t be considered a sending off.

The trio, and presenter Darrell Currie, regularly work together for TV

Sutton said: "He should've gone. He's missed the ball by 12 inches at least. If you miss the ball by that much you should be sent off anyway."

Stewart: "It's not a red card offence to miss the ball, is it? Do the two of you think he deliberately kicked him in the face?"

The debate then rumbled on to discuss the force of the blow too with Stewart adding: "You think there was excessive force there?"

To which Sutton retorted: "He's endangering an opponent. You're saying it's OK to kick someone in the head?, to which Stewart replied: "No, I'm not. I'm saying it's not excessive force." But Sutton was adamant and added: "It doesn't matter. It's endangering an opponent and you can't do that."

Sutton attempted to have the final say on the Wighton flashpoint.

Stephen Craigen also had his say in the debate, adding: "I don't think he makes any attempt for the ball. What's he swinging his foot at? The ball's on the ground."

But Stewart continued to stand his ground: "He's trying to kick the ball, he's stretching and the ball's rolled away from him. It's clumsy, it's accidental and it's not excessive force."

But Sutton had the final word adding: “You can't kick someone on the head and expect to stay on the pitch. Simple as that."

The pair had however earlier agreed on the penalty incident where Cameron Harper was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Stewart blasted the new rule that gave Hearts the opportunity to win and both criticised referee Steven McLean.

“It doesn’t matter about what the new law is. Under any interpretation that is not handball,” the former Hearts and Hibs midfielder claimed. "Harper’s arm never moves from across his chest, and if it doesn’t it hits him flush in the chest. It’s not outstretched and he’s not making himself unnaturally big.

"It’s not a penalty, it’s a ridiculous law and under any interpretation of a ridiculous law it’s still not a penalty and the linesman is looking right at it and the referee has guessed because he can’t see that.

Sutton added: "I think Michael is spot on that he’s guessed, which makes it a ridiculous decision. Steven McLean had a poor night.”

Following the win, Hearts meet Cowdenbeath at Central Park on Saturday in the next match of the Betfred Cup’s group A section.