Deila pleased by Virgil Van Dijk appeal success

Both Van Dijks and Paul Paton's red cards have been rescinded. Picture: SNS

The Dutch defender was sent off by referee Craig Thomson in last weekend’s 1-1 William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with the Terrors at Tannadice after tangling with Calum Butcher, with United midfielder Paul Paton also being dismissed in a case of mistaken identity.

Just before Deila and his United counterpart Jackie McNamara had their respective pre-match press conferences at the national stadium on Thursday, it was confirmed that Van Dijk’s red card has been rescinded, soon followed by news that Paton’s card had been overturned too, as expected.

And United striker Nadir Ciftci was also cleared after being offered a two-match ban for allegedly kicking Celtic skipper Scott Brown in the head at Tannadice. The panel found the case “not proven”.

It was the second week running that Ciftci faced a judicial panel, having successfully challenged a two-match ban following a clash with Inverness defender Gary Warren.

The forward will still miss the final after picking up his second booking of the competition in the semi-final win over Aberdeen, but will be free to play in the Parkhead Scottish Cup replay and the Scottish Premiership clash between the two sides the following weekend.

Deila said: “I am very happy for Virgil and the team.

“Of course I think it was the right decision. He has been unlucky twice with red cards, the one in Europe (against Inter Milan) was not a right one and this one also wasn’t right.

“So it is very good that he didn’t get any suspension and can play in the final.”