O'Neill stands by his man

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has returned a not-guilty verdict following accusations that John Hartson elbowed Hearts defender Andy Webster in the face after the Tynecastle club claimed they have proof the incident took place.

The Hoops striker has vehemently denied using an elbow and even stated his disappointment that the BBC – who were televising the game live – failed to capture the off-the-ball incident on camera.

But Hearts head coach Craig Levein yesterday invited the media to watch the Edinburgh club’s own footage of the game, which he claimed clearly showed Hartson elbowing the Hearts player in the face.

Hartson had already been issued with a yellow card for the incident by referee Kenny Clark, meaning he would escape any retrospective punishment in light of the Hearts footage but, after watching the pictures himself, O’Neill insists slow-motion actually proves Hartson’s innocence.

He told the club’s official website, www.celticfc.net: “John Hartson has been accused of elbowing Andy Webster in the face – on the first viewing of the tape I can see why that looks to be the case.

“However, if you take it frame by frame you will find that the arm supposed to have done the damage does not belong to John Hartson – therefore John Hartson is not guilty of elbowing Andy Webster in the face as has been reported.

“The linesman called the referee over immediately because he had spotted something and, on the assistant’s advice, he administered a yellow card to John for barging into the player when the ball was out of play.

“The linesman has been proved to have called it correctly.

“Much has been said about it but having seen the slow motion of the incident, I am happy that John has not elbowed the player in the face.

“I’m sure it won’t be but I would like to think this is the end of the issue.”