Red card Dev says he’s sorry
Robbie Neilson says Cammy Devlin let his Hearts team-mates down with a crazy sending-off.
The Jambos gaf fer revealed the little Aussie apologised in the dressing room after yesterday’s 4- 0 loss to Rangers.
Devlin was sent packing with Neilson’s side two down – his stamp on Rabbi Matondo’s ankle ending Hearts’ comeback hopes.
Neilson said: “When you play against good teams and do that, leaving 60 minutes against 11 men, it’s difficult.
“That was disappointing. “We lost a goal very early but responded. We got into good areas but the final moment just wasn’t there.
“Ultimately, the red card killed it. I think it’s red.
“Could the referee have handled it differently? Maybe. But we gave him an
opportunity to send Cammy off and I can’t really argue with it.
“I’ve spoken to Cammy and he’s disappointed because he’s let the team down, he knows that.
“He’s been fantastic for us from day one, he’s just got his first cap. He’s eager to do well and has energy. But there’s a line and there are areas of the pitch you don’t have to do that.
“Hopefully he’ll live and learn from it. He apologised to the players but it’s done, we’ve all been there.
“Maybe it could have been a yellow. Cammy didn’t come off the ground, it wasn’t really at pace.
“But he gave the ref an opportunity by coming in from behind.”
Neilson insists Hearts will quickly lift themselves for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Fiorentina in Gorgie.
He said: “They’ll be in on Sunday to prepare. It’s a massive game. We have to make sure we keep 11 players on the pitch.”