Rami Gershon flies in for Celtic talks as Kelvin Wilson lands two-match ban

THERE was good news and bad news for Celtic yesterday as Israel defender Rami Gershon arrived in Scotland and edged closer to joining the SPL champions, but Kelvin Wilson was hit with a two-game ban after being found guilty of violent conduct by the Scottish Football Association’s Fast Track Tribunal.

• Rami Gershon set to sign for Celtic

• Wilson was cited for allegedly elbowing Dundee striker John Baird

• Celtic defender claims he was trying to ‘free his arm’ rather than strike Baird

Gershon, 24, is currently with Belgian side Standard Liege, but has made just one appearance this season.

It is understood that Gershon and his agent, Dudu Dahan, will open discussions about the possibility of a permanent or loan deal with Celtic.

On his arrival at Glasgow

Airport yesterday, Gershon told STV: “I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to have the

opportunity to play for Celtic. I just hope that everything will be done tomorrow and then I can speak more.”

Gershon, capped ten times for his country, admitted that he had not yet discussed the possible move with Celtic midfielder and fellow Israeli Beram Kayal, who has been the subject of transfer speculation himself, with Norwich City reportedly interested in luring him to the Barclays Premier League.

Gershon said: “I haven’t

spoken to him yet. He is a good friend of mine, but everything was very quick so I didn’t find the time to speak to him. But in the past he has told me only good things about Celtic.”

Dahan interrupted to add: “There is nothing to talk about. If a club like Celtic calls you then you should go on the plane and that is what we did.”

If Gershon signs, he could be added to the club’s Champions League squad for their last-16 tie with Juventus.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is permitted to replace up to three players in his 25-man list for the tournament.

Gershon’s arrival comes as

defender Wilson discovered that he will serve a two-match ban after he was issued with a notice of complaint for “striking an opposing player, namely John Baird, with his elbow” during Celtic’s 2-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park on Boxing Day.

Wilson contested the charge but it was upheld, with the

suspension applied with immediate effect.

The 27-year-old centre-half can not appeal, and will

therefore miss the Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders’ game against Hearts at Celtic Park after the winter break on 19 January and the Scottish

Communities League Cup semi-final against St Mirren at Hampden the following weekend. The decision is sure to disappoint Wilson, who, after Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead, revealed that he would be making a personal appearance at Hampden in a bid to clear his name.

The former Nottingham Forest defender was confident that Baird’s comments after the

Dundee game would help his case.

Wilson said: “It wasn’t an elbow so I don’t know where the violent conduct has come from.

“To be fair to the boy, he said he was grabbing my shirt and I was just trying to get away, which I was and unfortunately I caught him.

“If you go into a court of law and someone gives a statement like that then it is taken into consideration, so I hope that is the case.

“But we will see. If it goes against me I will just have to get on with it, but hopefully the ­people will see sense and it will get resolved.”

Lennon expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome and the SFA’s disciplinary system through the club’s official ­website.

Lennon said: “Clearly we are very disappointed with today’s

decision and unfortunately, there is no right of appeal ­available.

“We find it disappointing that Kelvin has been found guilty of violent conduct, particularly when the other player involved has stated that it was an accidental incident.”

Meanwhile, Norwich manager Chris Hughton was giving

little away yesterday when he was asked if Kayal, and Celtic’s top scorer Gary Hooper were possible signing targets for the Carrow Road club during the January transfer window. Hughton, who was also asked to comment on reported interest in Swansea City striker Danny Graham, said: “If it is right and appropriate for us to do some business then we will do so, but the correct way to do business is behind the scenes. I’m not sure what the best [transfer] system is, but this is what we’ve got and we have to work around it as best we can.

“It can unsettle players and the last few days are always a busy few days.

“We are doing as much work as we can.”