Tynecastle striker James Wilson will be eligible to feature in Hearts’ Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden Park despite a recent suspension.
The teenage forward received a straight red card in Sunday’s match against Dundee United for a late challenge on Luca Stephenson in the 39th minute, resulting in an automatic two-match suspension.
Referee Nick Walsh deemed the tackle—made in midfield and catching Stephenson on the shin—as serious foul play, warranting an immediate red card. Under Scottish FA rules, such suspensions apply specifically to the competition where the offence occurred, which in this case means the league.
As a result, Wilson will miss Hearts’ upcoming Premiership fixtures—Saturday’s crucial trip to Motherwell, as they push for a top-six finish, and the first match after the league split—but remains available for cup duty, including the semi-final on April 19.
Both managers reflected on the incident without assigning malicious intent. United boss Jim Goodwin said: “I don’t think Wilson meant any harm. It looked fast and a bit high, but it was a genuine attempt at the ball. There are marks on Luca’s shin, and when you put all that together, it probably justified the red. But Wilson is a top talent and has a bright future.”
Hearts manager Neil Critchley added: “At first, I thought it was harsh. He looked to get a bit of the ball, and it was a split-second mistiming. When you slide in, there’s always a risk of contact, and referees will make decisions in those moments. It’s not about his age—mistakes like this happen at all levels. He’ll learn from it. We handled being down to ten men well.”
