Hearts will be without midfielder Marc Leonard for a crucial home match this weekend after the club's appeal against his red card was rejected. The Scottish FA's fast-track panel upheld the decision, meaning the on-loan Birmingham City player will serve a suspension against Motherwell on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was dismissed in stoppage time of Sunday's dramatic 2-2 draw with Livingston. The sending-off came for a professional foul, as Leonard cynically pulled back striker Robbie Muirhead near the halfway line to stop a potential counter-attack.

Despite contesting the ruling, Hearts' appeal was unsuccessful, with the tribunal agreeing that referee Kevin Clancy's call was correct. This kind of tactical foul to break up play is a common, if frustrating, part of the game, often leaving managers to weigh the immediate consequence against preventing a scoring chance.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes had argued the case before the hearing, suggesting the situation did not represent a "clear and obvious opportunity" for a last-gasp winner. He pointed to the positioning of other defenders, believing they could have recovered to challenge Muirhead before a clean shot on goal.

With the appeal now concluded, McInnes must adjust his midfield plans for the Motherwell clash. Losing a player to suspension always tests a squad's depth, forcing others to step up and fill the void in what promises to be an important Scottish Premiership fixture.