Alexandro Bernabei defended over Celtic red card claims by ex ref as Robbie Neilson hit with 'noise things up' charge

Former referee Steve Conroy reckons Hearts boss Robbie Neilson was trying a pre Scottish Cup "tactic" after claims Celtic star Alexandro Bernabei should have seen red.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson was furious that the full back did not see red for a challenge on Nathaniel Atkinson, claiming post-match visitors to Celtic Park had to be "decapitated" to be sent off. However, Conroy backed up VAR official Nick Walsh, checked Bernabei's tackle while the Hearts player received treatment, after referee Alan Muir was not asked to review the footage.

In the end the Argentinian did not receive any punishment - after Muir opted not to book the Celtic defender following the initial contact. While Conroy admitted it could have been a booking, he reckons the officials in the VAR room made the right call, as he insisted the rant from Neilson could be used as a tactic ahead of Saturday's Tynecastle rematch.

He told Grosvenor Sport: “I find Robbie’s comments rich. He was hardly a shrinking violet when he played. It was the old adage, if it moves, kick it and if it doesn’t move, kick it anyway because it will move later.

“Maybe he’s trying to noise things up ahead of the Cup game between Hearts and Celtic this weekend and maybe put a seed of doubt in the ref’s mind. Many managers have tried this sort of tactic.

“I can understand why some people thought it might be a red card – but it certainly wasn’t akin to a decapitation. I think a yellow would have been the right call because I don’t think there was excessive force and I don’t think Bernabei was endangering Atkinson.

“It wasn’t an innocent challenge, but he was hardly trying to maim him either. VAR took a look and decided it wasn’t red, and they can’t advocate a yellow."

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