AJS

Bear in mind though that the SFA don't have access to the disciplinary records of other countries. They would have to ask the FA and wait for a response, assuming the FA are obliged to respond to such a request at all. Then i hope the FA can put this to bed for everyone.

According to BBC he wasn't on the bench. I checked Liverpool's fixtures before the arsenal game and they had European games. Danny Wilson was on the bench on the home tie. Does European games not count as their rule about serving it in any competition. There was never anything to say he was suspended for the game though. Your right about the Euro games though. If thats the case then he had already participated in official games. Defiantly. All ICT need to do see the relevant documents to say yes he served it. Nothing of the such has been given. End of the day, this isn't a personal vendetta on Hearts cause we lost the game. It's just ICT trying to defend itself from being cheated. The way Hearts are run in general is a joke. They fail to pay players yet they are allowed to dish out fresh contracts to new signings (even if their loans). Its ridiculous. We have every right to fight this. The SFA can say all they want but unless they can provide any kind of written evidence to suggest he was actually suspended for a game as opposed to simply not being picked then this case is still wide open. The fact they dont have accurate details to suggest when and who it was served against makes me think they dont have what they need.

Have we checked he is eligible to play?

According to BBC he wasn't on the bench. I checked Liverpool's fixtures before the arsenal game and they had European games. Danny Wilson was on the bench on the home tie. Does European games not count as their rule about serving it in any competition. There was never anything to say he was suspended for the game though. Your right about the Euro games though. If thats the case then he had already participated in official games.

There has been no evidence to suggest this ban has ever been officially served and if there isnt then neither the SFA or Hearts really have a leg to stand on, but they will probably get away with it on a "technicality". Im glad the club are investigating. I only hope that they dig their heals in because this is far from over. No one has said anything clear cut and reasons to justify his eligibility are yet to have been expanded on beyond what was put on STV on Sunday night. Unless Liverpool, the SFA or Hearts can prove anything new this is far from over.

New additions always welcome. Seems like another promising prospect.

I think the only thing that will keep Shinnie here is if we make it into a European spot. If not he will head for pastures new. I dont see him heading to Aberdeen. He has the kind of flair that would fit in well in the Championship down south. Jonny going to Aberdeen was a side way step. He still looks a dangerous player but imo hasnt really looked any better from when he left.

This Winter break left me skeptical as to whether or not we could keep our good form going...we did Pretty crap first half. Both teams were frustrated in the final 3rd with but it was obvious who came out more fired up in the 2nd half. Reguero made a smart save from Hayes and soon after Andy Shinnie did well to beat Shaugessy and leave him on his arse. I was screaming at him to cut it back but from that angle he managed to find the far corner. Cracking finish. 2nd goal was one of the best moves of the season. Lovely bit of interchange in midfield before Draper's cheeky back heel left McKay one on one with Langfield and he made full use of it. At 2-0 Aberdeen were chasing the game but we're being frustrated in their attempts. They are far too are far too over reliant on Hayes and McGinn to make and take chances. One difference was playing from the back. Both Meekings and Warren were excellent at it today while Anderson and Reynolds were happy just to get it away. Time ticking away and the 3rd goal came. Raven is developing a reputation for these first time crosses and Billy finished well and finished off Aberdeen. Could have been more but resounding result and a great confidence booster to take into next week. Buzzed for it and truelly cannot wait. Well done lads.

Lets face it. We cant hold on to our best players forever. If we have done all we can do to try and keep him then so be it, life without Hayes hasnt been so bad we will move on and get someone else. He has the potential to play at a really high level and he has shown what he is capable of during his time here. If he stays then that would be fantastic but at the end of the day he's a young player with high aspirations, he's gonna want to challenge himself at a better level...though it has been a season so far of bucking trends, there is still time to sort something out. If he is to go at the end of the season my only hope is that it isnt purely based on money and that he gives his all for the club as we've got a chance to make a bit of history for the club this season...nothing better than going out on a high.

Mark McGhee rumoured to be his assistant...

Merely keeping busy till Sir Eck retires from Man U.

With the tanks we have in our midfield Gudgy Fraser is sure for a bumpy ride. Though Owain might avoid him after last time. Agreed about Cammy Smith. Looks like an excellent player from what ive seen of him so far this season. Was an absolute menace when he came on against us earlier in the season.

Glad he is back. Was horrible moment to see him get injured. It will have taken a tremendous amount of strength to get this far. Disagree about Cooper. For a young lad he has done exceptionally well in the games he has featured in. It will be nice just to have some options at the back for a change. Last season was a constant struggle for defenders and this season has seens us develop a strong back four but without any real options should injuries or suspensions creep in so with Hogg back and Devine signed it will be nice just to have that re shuffling option should we need it...we still have Simon King to come back too.

To be fair to Barton, who is a cretin, I don't see how you can admire a drunk driver who had a gambling problem. I think the operative word here is "had." Didi was a fantastic professional who had some problems once his playing career was coming to an end, problems which he has now overcome. We all make mistakes - like ajs i have a massive amount of respect for Hamann. Yeah we all make mistakes like pissing away £200,000 in a day or getting smashed before trying to drive home. That's fair enough if you can look past things like that that's your prerogative. I can't admire people like that. Hamanns a puppy compared to Barton. Barton's done time for serious assault and if he was any regular human being he would still be there. He brutalized Ousmane Dabo as well in a training session and his conduct on the final game of the season was nothing short of disgraceful, those are just a select few of many Barton moments.

Cant abide Barton. Violent, disruptive, ill tempered little S**t. Lucky that any club will still take a chance on him. He has the nerve to criticise Didi Hammann. Modest pro who had much more success within the game than Barton will ever have...the boy needs to know when to shut his face.

Seems like he is the new National Gaffer, announcement to be made tomorrow. Thoughts on it? Personally i think he is the best manager we could have got if we were gonna stay Scottish.

26 pages, this topic is a ticking time bomb now.

I can think of a young, ambitious, charismatic manager over a certain bridge who encourages a style of free flowing, attacking football, encourages team spirit and unity in the dressing room and has total respect for any opposition he comes across, surely he will be next on their list.

Mido??? hahaha. He earned less in the Premier League. Dreadful player.

Have you been to any games this season? Some of the football we have played has been the best we have seen thus far in our entire time spent in the SPL. A good "shake up" could have the direct opposite effect. We have made this rise up the table with Butcher at the helm, how you can say that any other manager could walk in and carry on that form?

Words cant describe so i'll just use smileys haha.

You dont get it at all in the Championship, only 9 points off the top in the SPL and then we would have it...all the more incentive to stay

I wouldnt say no to Calderwood if Tel did decide to leave. He always kept Aberdeen in the top 6 and he led Dunfermline to a Scottish cup semi final. Kept Kilmarnock in the premier league as well. Could certainly do a lot worse.

I wouldnt put it past our board to offer Richie Foran player/manager.