Mikoliunas can expect a hostile reception from Scottish fans

But Rangers boss Walter Smith supports Uefa's decision to charge Mikoliunas with misconduct against Scotland.

The Lithuanian could receive a two-match ban for "deceiving the referee" to win a penalty.

And Smith said: "When you can show it as clearly as that, yes, I think there should be punishment."

Media conference: Rangers manager Walter Smith

Uefa's control and disciplinary body will review video evidence of Mikoliunas's theatrical dive on Wednesday.

"The incident is one that I think football can do without," added Smith, who takes his Rangers team to Tynecastle on Saturday.

But Smith does not believe that it is a problem that blights Scottish football.

"It's something we don't have a great deal of in our football," he added. "I don't think it's prevalent in our football."

Frail made it clear that he did not want to get involved in a war of words.

But he said: "I'm pretty sure if it had been a Celtic or Rangers player doing the same thing for their club it would not have met with the same response and outcry."

And he pointed to Joe Jordan's infamous handball against Wales in 1977 to illustrate a degree of hypocrisy among Scottish fans.

"We went to the World Cup on the back of that," he said. "And we all laugh at Maradona's handball against England."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Does Mikoliunas have the backing of Hearts supporters?

Mikoliunas is nursing a hamstring injury and is not expected to face Rangers.

He can expect a hostile reception from opposition supporters when he does appear but Frail believes the winger can handle it.

"They can boo and they will boo him, hopefully it will make him stronger," he continued.

"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."

Rangers striker Steven Naismith agrees that football's governing body should intervene in a bid to eradicate the problem of diving.

"That's the right way to do it," said the 21-year-old. "It's the only way to stamp it out.

"I'm not here to say it's right or wrong - I'm only a player - but I'm sure they will get the decision right.

"To be honest, I think it's part of the game nowadays. It shouldn't be part of the game but it is and you just have to rise above it."