Stewart banned despite appeal win

Stewart reacted angrily to the red card he was shown

Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart has had last weekend's red card reduced to a caution yet finds himself suspended for Saturday's match against Celtic.

After reviewing the clash with Gretna's Danny Grainger, referee Mike Tumilty and the Scottish FA's review panel agreed the sending off was not merited.

However, he was reported for dissent by the fourth official after his dismissal and that counts as a second caution.

Stewart also faces a further two-match SPL suspension from 9 December.

The two cautions at Gretna takes him through the 18 disciplinary points barrier.

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Stewart can therefore return for the home clash with Motherwell on 8 December but will have to miss the following games against Rangers and Inverness.

At Fir Park on Sunday, Stewart was sent off after 21 minutes for reacting angrily to a challenge by Grainger right in front of Tumilty.

The referee saw it as violent conduct but the reduced caution is now for the offence of 'adopting a threatening and aggressive attitude'.

The frustrated player kicked out at a panel as he went down the tunnel and that incident was included in the match report after being spotted by fourth official Craig Charleston.