Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston has revealed his plea to postpone his call-up for the African Cup of Nations was refused because it created uproar in Ghana.

The Ghana midfielder will join up with his international team-mates on January 6, two weeks before the tournament begins in his home country.

He had previously expressed hope that he could delay his journey home but that request was given short shrift by Black Stars coach Claude Le Roy.

"I spoke to them and he said 'no chance'," Kingston said.

"When I said I would speak to them it was a big scandal in Ghana.

"After that they put pressure on the coach, he called me and said 'no chance'.

"I have to report on the sixth of January."

Kingston's importance to Hearts was in evidence when he curled a glorious shot into the top corner to put the 10-man Jambos 1-0 up against Gretna on Sunday.

The 27-year-old later put through his own net as the Clydesdale Bank Premier League bottom side earned a 1-1 draw.

But there was little Kingston could do when Evan Horwood drilled a cross off his body two yards from goal.

And his 20-yard strike in the first half was Kingston's fourth goal of the week.

The former Lokomotiv Moscow player curled home a free-kick as Ghana beat Togo 2-0 the previous Sunday.

And he struck another two spectacular efforts as his country beat Benin 4-2 three days later.

So his absence for a potential five weeks - the African tournament closes on February 10 - will be a major loss for the Tynecastle club.

"I wanted to stay as much as I can but I don't have any option," Kingston said.

"It's something that I love, I want to be in the national team. It's good to play for your nation and your club as well."

Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart is waiting to discover whether he faces an additional charge following his red card against Gretna.

The former Manchester United player was sent off following an innocuous tussle with Danny Grainger and allegedly kicked a hole in the Fir Park tunnel as he went for his early bath.

Hearts have appealed against the red card but the subsequent incident is believed to have been included in referee Mike Tumilty's match report, which could land with the Scottish Football Association today.