Heart of Midlothian have issued their surprise after the appeal over Lawrence Shankland's yellow card for perceived simulation during the 2-1 defeat to Ross County was dismissed by the Scottish FA.

The Hearts striker was booked by referee Grant Irvine after being felled following a challenge by Staggies defender Ryan Leak after the hour mark in Dingwall on Saturday. The incident saw Shankland turning in the box to take a shot but he was prevented from doing so by Leak's outstretched right leg.

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Hearts were quick to challenge the yellow card, submitting an appeal to the Scottish FA on Monday for a wrongful caution. A fast-track tribunal heard the club's case on Tuesday but dismissed the appeal. They are set to discover the reasoning behind the decision later this week.

A club statement read: "Heart of Midlothian is surprised to learn that the club’s appeal against Lawrence Shankland’s yellow card for simulation against Ross County has been dismissed.

"The opposing player’s knee can clearly be seen connecting with Lawrence’s thigh, which we highlighted as evidence at the appeal.

"The club will learn the reasoning behind the dismissal later this week, at which point we may comment further."

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On Saturday, Hearts head coach Steven Naismith said it was a "poor decision" by the referee to book Shankland.

"It wasn't a dive by Shankland," he said. "There is no simulation. The defender stretches his leg out to block the ball and Shanks goes over. I thought the ref was naive to show a card. I think he could have let the game go, don't think it was a foul no one looked for a foul."