Celtic to appeal Virgil van Dijk red card

CELTIC have launched an appeal against the red card that was shown to defender Virgil van Dijk during Tuesday’s defeat to Aberdeen.

Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk is sent off against Aberdeen. Picture: SNS

Celtic submitted the relevant paperwork for a claim of wrongful dismissal yesterday and the case will be heard by the Scottish FA’s disciplinary tribunal next Thursday. That means the Dutch centre-half, who is facing a one game ban, will be available for tomorrow’s visit of Inverness. Should the appeal be dismissed, the 22-year-old will sit out the 14 March clash at Kilmarnock.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon claimed referee Craig Thomson had ruined the game after sending off van Dijk after just 12 minutes of the Aberdeen game for denying Peter Pawlett a goalscoring opportunity.

With a one-man advantage the Dons went on to record a 2-1 win and inflict the Premiership leaders’ first defeat in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Speaking after the Pittodrie showdown, Lennon said: “The referee ruined the game. It’s not a sending-off. Pawlett was going across the goal rather than towards it and I’m pretty sure that Efe Ambrose was getting across. I’ve seen the [replay]. I didn’t think it was 
[a red card] at the time and I still don’t. Maybe I’m the only one who sees it that way but I’m pretty convinced.”