Steven Naismith speaks on Hearts quick collapse and 'crazy' red card

Zander Clark conceded a penalty five minutes after the break which James Tavernier scored. Rangers would add further through Scott Wright and then Tavernier. Lawrence Shankland netted a consolation from the penalty spot.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith speaks on Hearts quick collapse and 'crazy' red card

Here is everything the Hearts head coach had to say:

What are your emotions after that?

We had a chance to get to a final and didn't manage it so I'm really disappointed. The first half was cagey, we managed to regroup at half-time and talk about things we could do slightly better. The game changes on the penalty so quickly after half-time.

What was your take on the Rangers penalty? Any complaints?

No. Some people will say it was or it wasn't a penalty but, as a forward, I think he anticipates the ball. As much as Zander is trying to get out of the way, his momentum takes him into his foot. If it was for us, I think I would be asking for it. The one thing I would add to that is I find it frustrating that the first thought for Celtic against us at Tynecastle was 'penalty', the first thought today was 'penalty', but for us the first thought was 'red card'.

How frustrating is that leads to such a quick collapse?

That's a frustration because, at 1-0, if you regroup and get some control then you don't know how the game goes. If you are putting more pressure on, the game gets played in their half, then late on you see we get a penalty. If it's 1-0, then that's a defining point in the game. To concede the three goals is the part we need to learn from.

You spoke about losing quick goals in succession beforehand and hadn't been learned for today?

There is a slight difference because it's a cup competition because at some point you do need to gamble. If it's 1-0 with half an hour to go, if we get a bit more control in the game and attack, then all it takes is one moment for a chance to score. Our header at 1-0, if that goes in it's one of those moments. So quickly after that you lose the goals and it's up to us to learn from that.

In the first half quite a few guys had the chance to pass forward but went back the way, is that instruction or are they taking it on themselves?

I wouldn't say it was overly obvious. The biggest frustration is when we never switched it as much, there was loads of space, Rangers narrowed the pitch a lot. There was maybe a couple of times players were uncertain of pass. Rather than force it, you saw in the second half we tried to force it a couple of times and lost it and they really hurt you. I wouldn't say it was a big part of the game to be honest.

What were your first thoughts when Stephen Kingsley was shown a red card?

Crazy. To think he would try to dive when the ball is miles away, going out of the park. He was never going to get a penalty for a dive. It's just strange that that seems to happen and first thought is red card when it is a clear kick. There have been a few penalties in recent weeks with that stamp on the foot, Aberdeen in Europe was one. Why was it not a penalty then we can review it? It was a red card then we'll review it which was strange for me.

Was the game plan to ease into the game and open up further into the game?

We didn't switch the ball well enough to get us up the pitch. I think when we did we got into the final third and Alex Cochrane had a couple of good crosses. In these games... Rangers had obviously watched and they were more aggressive in the press. We never managed to get the ball across the pitch which puts you under pressure in tight areas and it got a bit scrappy for us in that respect.

What would you say to the fans who were deeply unhappy with the game being over after an hour?

Everybody is frustrated. I'm frustrated because like I said if it is 1-0 the game carries on and we potentially get chances. To concede the goals is difficult and it takes the game away from us and is something we will need to learn from because like you said the game was done after 60-0odd minutes when it goes 3-0 and makes it really tough for us.

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