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"Me think thou dost protest too much" (to slightly misquote from ) was my first reaction to Hearts skipper and subsequent sending off at Tannadice on Monday night.

The Hearts midfelder's second yellow was for a blatant foul from behind on Scott Robertson, leaving the referee no option but to dismiss him.

The Tynecastle skipper was quoted as saying: "There was no malice and I think there were far worse tackles on the pitch that went unpunished. All I was trying to do was get the team going by putting in a tackle or two. I thought we were a bit flat."

The only thing left flat in the event was the Dundee United midfielder, flat on his backside.

The Hearts man should have been disciplined enough to know his challenge would be judged reckless and would let his side and supporters down by reducing them to ten men.

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It's pointless to berate the Scotland players for a lack of skill against Norway.

If they gave their best and were organised properly by the manager and still , then we simply have to accept it.

The limitations of the squad are well-known and unless critics are suggesting they gave less than their all, were not sufficiently committed, or threw the towel in, then we should lay off them. They are what they are - hard working professionals.

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