Callum Butcher blasts Hearts star Ellis Simms as 'pretty poor' challenge leaves Ryan Edwards with broken nose

Callum Butcher has taken aim at Hearts star Ellis Simms for a "pretty poor" challenge on Ryan Edwards.

The striker appeared to catch Edwards in the face in the second half of the 2-2 draw and was shown yellow by Willie Collum.

But the United defender required treatment on the deck and it's since been confirmed by the Tannadice club that he suffered a broken nose.

And a furious Butcher reckons it should have been red as he said: “I’m disappointed in the challenge if I’m honest.

“It’s pretty poor. I thought the referee would have seen it and dealt with it a little bit differently.

“But it is what it is. His nose doesn’t look great.

“He has a broken nose and it looks pretty bad but Ryan’s a strong lad and he’ll get on with it.

“When you see a team-mate with that much blood on his face then you realise there is a situation that should have been dealt with a little bit better.

“But the game went on and we showed really good character to get back into it.

“Ryan doesn’t shy away from anything. He’s a tough character. He’ll bounce back from this and will be back involved very soon.”

Butcher took over the armband in the Premiership clash and had to marshal a young central defence that included Lewis Neilson and Ross Graham.

The experienced United star added: “The game throws things at you sometimes and you just have to deal with it.

“I try to lead the boys as well as I can. It doesn’t matter who is next to you, you try to do that.

“But they are both really good young players who listen and want to do well.

“It’s not hard when you have good players next to you.

“All the credit goes to them for their performances. I just do my job and try to inspire or lead in difficult situations.

“We want Ryan back on the pitch as soon as