Hearts to appeal Lawrence Shakland yellow card as 'dive' row taken to the SFA

Hearts will reportedly launch an appeal to the SFA in a bid to clear the yellow card dished out to Lawrence Shankland during their defeat to Ross County.

It was a tough afternoon for Steven Naismith's side in the Highlands as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to the Scottish Premiership - and things went from bad to worse for top scorer Shankland when he booked for simulation. The Jambos captain stumbled in the box under the challenge of Ryan Leak as they trailed County but he didn't appeal for a penalty. However, referee Grant Irvine would book the Scotland cap and Tynecastle chiefs look set to challenge the yellow with the Hampden chiefs.

The Scotsman state that an official appeal against Shankland's yellow card for diving during Saturday's clash will be lodged. SFA rules allow bookings for simulation to be appealed - with Hearts already having luck in having one of their players name cleared.

Alan Forrest was booked for simulation in January. However, following the appeal the wide man would see his name cleared.

Following the game, Shankland issued a bullish defence. He said: "The yellow card - I haven't even looked for a penalty. I don't know how I fell right enough but the pitch was horrific so it's probably something to do with that or I thought I was getting smashed.

"I don't know what happened at the time but I've gone down. I haven't asked for a penalty, I went to get up and chase the ball. I think he (Irvine) just reacted too quickly to me falling and booked me."