Lawrence Shankland faces SFA rap over x-rated Aberdeen gesture as Hearts captain awaits his fate

Lawrence Shankland could be in hot water with the SFA after being caught aiming a middle finger at the Aberdeen boo boys.

The Hearts skipper reacted to jeers from home fans as he applauded the away support moments after the Dons had nabbed an injury-time winner in Saturday’s Pittodrie clash. The incident was caught on camera and widely shared on social media. Shankland, who spent four years at Aberdeen after moving north from Queen’s Park as a teenager in 2013, could now end up facing an SFA probe under disciplinary rule 77 that covers insulting words or behaviour.

Record Sport understands the incident does not have to be included in the referee’s match report for action to be taken. An SFA spokesman refused to comment. Hearts slipped from third to sixth on the back of the 2-1 defeat to Dons after Leighton Clarkson netted late to ease pressure on Barry Robson.

The Jambos travel to Celtic Park on Saturday before squaring off with St Mirren before Christmas at Tynecastle.

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