Hearts manager John McGlynn hopes referees offer more protection to the SPL’s skilful players after being left frustrated by David Templeton’s suspension.
The winger will miss his side’s next two league games after accepting a ban for kicking out at Hibernian captain James McPake during Sunday’s Edinburgh derby.
Templeton was fouled in the build-up to the incident and although McGlynn was not happy with his reaction, he says more needs to be done to help players who are targeted.
"It was very uncharacteristic for David to kick out like that and his record suggests that too.
"I'm not suggesting that there was any excuse for the kick-out and David will have to realise if he stays fit and in good form, he might come in for some special treatment.
"It's not new in the Scottish game and not sour grapes on my part, you don't want to lose these guys from the Scottish game as they are being kicked up and down," the Tynecastle boss said.
"If there is talent in the Scottish game and Templeton comes under that category, then these players need protection.
"Just now guys like (James) Forrest at Celtic and (Paul) McGowan at St Mirren are skilful, skilful players and as a result probably get more treatment in regards to being the most fouled players in the league.”
Having started the season with a fine performance against St Johnstone, McGlynn is annoyed at being without the 23-year-old against Inverness CT and Aberdeen.
"I think if you watched David against St Johnstone, he has great feet and in that game he won the penalty for the first goal and scored the second," he said.
"In the meantime he laid on numerous chances for others as well - he's a key player.
"Perhaps if you were our opponents the following week watching that game, you would try to make sure he wasn't going to have as big an influence on the game."
