Midfielder Laryea Kingston has been fined four weeks' wages by Hearts following a breach of club discipline.

Hearts have described as "unacceptable" Kingston's conduct "in the period following Hearts' game against St Johnstone on 30 August".

However, the Tynecastle club say the fine is unrelated to the Ghana player's decision to feature for his country during the recent international break. Kingston played twice for Ghana despite making no Hearts appearances this term. "The penalty reflects the seriousness of the disciplinary breach and is the maximum that could be imposed in line with the SPL guidelines," added Hearts. Last week, Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo hinted that he may exclude Kingston from the first team if the 28-year-old was not prepared to show the correct commitment.

"If you only come in my dressing room to keep your fitness, you can always go," said Laszlo.

"You can do this in an amateur team.

"The door is always open for you to go out."

But Kingston, who was considered to be injured by Hearts, responded: "If the coach has a problem with me he should simply say so and not use my national team commitment against me.

"I have played for a lot of clubs but I can play for only one national team.

"I am like a soldier who must stand up for his country at anytime."