Hearts boss Derek McInnes has set the stage for a crucial Premiership clash with Motherwell this Saturday, but much of the pre-match talk revolves around a contentious red card from last weekend. The club is formally appealing the dismissal of midfielder Marc Leonard, shown for denying a goalscoring opportunity in the draw at Livingston.

McInnes laid out his case, arguing the decision lacked the required clarity. "I'm almost certain their striker wouldn't have had the speed to go straight through without having to beat one of our recovering players," McInnes stated. "For me, that eradicates the 'clear and obvious' opportunity the rule demands." A successful appeal would be a significant boost for Hearts' midfield options.

Looking beyond the immediate fixture, McInnes also addressed the recently announced post-split schedule, which sees Hearts finish the campaign away at Celtic Park. While acknowledging the logistical headaches for fans—including a late Monday kick-off against Rangers—the manager adopted a pragmatic stance. "I know the narrative about who plays at home last, and not everyone will be happy," he said. "The league has a tough job, but we're just excited about the games coming up."

In fact, McInnes emphasized that his focus remains purely on the football, quipping that he'd be happy to play the matches "in a car park" rather than get bogged down in scheduling debates.

On the team news front, there's a mix of updates for the Tynecastle faithful. Defender Stuart Findlay is set to return against Motherwell, and Harry Milne is back in training. However, the season may be over for midfielder Tomas Magnusson, who is seeking a second opinion on a concerning thigh strain.