Claudio Braga’s decision to stay on his feet in Kilmarnock’s box on Saturday night could be “pivotal” in Hearts’ season, according to former Hibernian and Celtic midfielder Scott Allan.
Braga was caught by Kilmarnock defender Robbie Deas as he broke towards goal, but opted to stay on his feet.
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No penalty was given on the field and there was no intervention from VAR.
Hearts lost the game 1-0 with title challengers Celtic and Rangers both winning and narrowing the gap at the top.
“I think it could be pivotal,” Allan told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast. “I just can’t for life understand why he stays on his feet.
“It’s not as if he’s got a glaring opportunity to go and score a goal. I think once you feel the contact, you have to go down and let the referee make a decision and it would have been a penalty. He obviously stands on his toe.
“Derek McInnes spoke about it after the game, a bit frustrated with it. It’s not often you talk about players getting a bit of stick because they’ve been honest.
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“These little moments can define your season, that could be one coming into the season, looking back on it. If it goes down, how does the game look?”
Former Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands says Hearts are still in the best position of the Premiership’s top three sides, but thinks they must end their shaky away form if they are to last the course.
“They’re still in the driving seat, don’t forget that,” the former Denmark international said. “They’re still the team to beat.
“I do worry a wee bit about their confidence into the next couple of games after two defeats. They need to really start picking up points again because the other two teams are coming really, really fast behind them.”
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