Stevie Frail, Hearts' assistant head coach, says the club will do its utmost to protect Lithuanian Saulius Mikoliunas following his dive against Scotland last Saturday.

The Tynecastle winger has become a hate figure after winning a penalty from Slovenian referee Damir Skomina at Hampden.

The converted spot-kick levelled the Euro 2008 qualifier at 1-1 before Alex McLeish's side won with two more goals from Stephen McManus and James McFadden.

Mikoliunas, who is facing an international ban after UEFA launched a probe, was roundly criticised in the media in the aftermath of his antics and it is expected he will now be subjected to abuse at away grounds in the SPL.

Frail, who was in Lithuania on a training camp with Hearts when the incident happened, says the player won't be left to deal with the fallout on his own.

Speaking ahead of today's televised lunchtime kick-off at home to Rangers, he said: "They can boo and they will boo him; hopefully it will make him stronger. It's up to us as a club, if he does get booed, to get round him because he is our player. We have to make sure he is okay.

"I have spoken to him, I have told him we will look after him and will protect him. I don't want a witch-hunt against him; he is one of ours. He didn't need to tell me he was wrong, he is not silly. He was doing a job for his country and thankfully they never won the game."

Mikoliunas' availability for today's clash is in doubt due to a hamstring strain picked up in his country's win over the Faroe Islands on Wednesday evening, yet Frail claims the player won't be omitted on the assumption he will be on the receiving end of abuse.

He added: "If Miko is involved, it won't be in our thoughts that he might get booed. If he is fit enough, he comes into consideration for the team and we will assess him in the morning.

"He is a little bit concerned about what happened and the reaction he will get. There is obviously a little bit of concern but he is chirpy enough. He loves being at Hearts, he likes the place and it's up to us to make sure we get round him and protect him."

Frail, despite clearly stating he does not condone Mikoliunas' decision to dive over Darren Fletcher's outstretched leg inside the area, believes the reaction has been over the top.

The former Tynecastle defender said: "I am pretty certain if it had been a Celtic or Rangers player that done the same thing for their country, it wouldn't have been met with the same response and outcry as it has been met with.

"I think if he performs for Hearts the way he performed in the second half against Scotland, he can get back to being a fans' favourite and be a real threat for us on the pitch.

"If he was sitting in this chair now, I am quite sure he would say it was wrong what he did. He is a football player and he has to get on with it."

Meanwhile, new Hearts striker Christian Nade, who joined from Sheffield United on transfer deadline day, has entered the debate by insisting simulation in the box is all part and parcel of the modern game.

He said: "Sometimes we have to do it, it's just football. It's not very nice but it's up to the referee to make a decision on it."

Speaking as he prepares to make his home debut, the Frenchman added: "I've enjoyed myself so far since joining Hearts.

"I knew the situation with Hearts with regards to them being in the news all the time but I am a player and I just want to play football.

"I am not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes as I still need to work on my fitness but hopefully I can score against Rangers."