Hearts' cheat "disappointed"
Jamie Walker today revealed that Scott Brown’s accusations of cheating in the wake of Hearts’ 2-1 defeat by Celtic left him “disappointed”, but the Jambos forward insisted he is now over the controversy.
Hearts lost 2-1 to a late Scott Sinclair goal, but much of the post-match talk surrounded Kieran Tierney’s 36th-minute challenge on Walker in the penalty box. Referee John Beaton awarded a spot-kick that Walker scored, but he was penalised for diving by the SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan two days later. Hearts failed to overturn the punishment on appeal.
An outspoken response from the Celtic captain Scott Brown after the game fuelled the ire directed at Walker for simulation. Brown said Walker should have been at the Olympic Games in Rio and accused him of blatant cheating. “I thought it was a bit disappointing,” said Walker. “He was captain of the national team at the time and to hear that from someone like him is a bit disappointing. It’s part of football, though, and you just need to get on with it.
1. It isn't disappointing that a player calls another out for cheating. I would welcome regardless of who it was, even if he was playing for Celtic
2. It is not part of football - it is cheating.