Rumour Mill: Celtic slam SFA | Rangers held

Handbags at Tannadice saw Virgil van Dijk and Paul Paton sent off. Picture: SNS

Celtic seethe as Butcher cleared for final

CELTIC last night hit out at the SFA for what the Hoops described as an ‘illogical and unfair’ decision not to punish Dundee United defender Calum Butcher following Sunday’s fiery match at Tannadice.

It is believed that Hampden chiefs are unable to punish Butcher for an off-the-ball incident because their own rules prevent them taking retrospective action as referee Craig Thomson already sent a player off.

Thomson was told that Paul Paton should be sent off by linesman Graham Chambers - and even though TV pictures show Paton to be innocent, Thomson’s action means the SFA can do nothing about it.

A Hoops statement read: “Celtic notes no action appears to have been taken in relation to Calum Butcher of Dundee United.

“It seems completely illogical and fundamentally unfair that, in an incident where mistaken identity has been claimed, the Dundee United player now identified clearly as being involved in the incident has no case to answer.

Virgil van Dijk will appeal his sending off on Thursday. (The Sun)

Ciftci ban

MEANWHILE, United face being without Nadir Ciftci for longer than this weekend’s League Cup final after confirmation that the already-suspended striker has been cited by the compliance officer following Sunday’s fiery 1-1 Scottish Cup draw with Celtic.

Ciftci has fallen foul once more of the authorities, who have issued him with a notice of complaint and the offer of a two-match ban after he was accused of kicking Celtic skipper Scott Brown in the head. (The Scotsman)

Johansen wins player prize

CELTIC midfielder Stefan Johansen has been named Scottish Professional Football League player of the month for February.

The Norwegian insisted that he is fit enough to play a part in Celtic’s gruelling fixture build-up.

Late equaliser scunners Rangers

AIDAN Smith’s late goal for Queen of the South earned the Doonhamers a draw at Ibrox last night as Rangers failed to kick off the new regime with a win.

Haris Vuckic netted with just over 10 minutes remaining, only for 17-year-old substitute Smith to bundle the ball home after good work from Danny Carmichael and Michael Paton.

The draw is a further dent in Rangers’ promotion ambitions but the match did pull in the Gers’ second highest gate of the season (35,018). (The Scotsman)

SPFL face contract headache over end of season finals

THE SPFL face a potential nightmare over the rescheduling of fixtures at the tailend of the season - because some players could be out of contract.

Falkirk or Hibernian will advance to the Scottish Cup final but could also be involved in the play-off final - with the Scottish Cup final set to be played between the two-legged play-off.

And SPLF chiefs have been forced into a rethink to avoid teams playing on consecutive days but loan players and out-of-contract players may mean extending the season into June isn’t possible. (Herald)

Robertson eyes new Hibs deal

SCOTT Robertson is hopeful that his consistency in the middle of the park for Hibs will land him a new deal.

The 29-year-old, who has scored four goals in his last 11 matches, is keen to keep the Hibernian promotion effort on track with victory over Livingston tonight, but knows that he is still in the throes of making amends for his part in the club’s relegation.

The twice-capped Scotland international said: “I’m happy with the set-up here. It feels like a club going in the right direction and it’s good to be part of a team on the up – rather than one in a mess that I helped them get into!

“No [contract] talks have taken place yet. I’m long enough in the tooth to know that if you go knocking on doors you might get bad news.

“I’m just focused on this season and getting success and if I can contribute then it will go a long way to swaying some peoples’ decisions. If there’s good news coming my way it will come. It depends on where we will be playing our football next year, in terms of the club, so they will make decisions.” (The Scotsman)

Neilson eyeing new signings for top flight

HEARTS boss Robbie Neilson is already planning for next season, admitting that he needs to bolster his youthful squad with experienced players.

With his current squad having all but secured the Championship title at a canter, he reckons he’ll need to shuffle his pack.

He said: “It’ll be a big test for us next season. I’ll need to change the squad a bit.” (Various)

Inverness book semi-final berth after Raith win

A GOAL from Danny Devine handed Inverness Caledonian Thistle victory against Raith Rovers and the third semi-final berth, setting up a clash with Dundee United or Celtic.

Devine’s intervention broke down a stubborn Rovers defence who had tasted victory over Rangers at Ibrox in the previous round.

Prior to last night, Devine had played just 90 minutes of football all season. (The Scotsman)

Hamilton in England trip to end rough patch

Hamilton made a secretive trip to the multi-million pound St George’s Park training camp in England in an attempt to end their nine-game run without a victory.

The New Douglas Park side have struggled since losing manager Alex Neil and talismanic midfielder Tony Andreu to Norwich. (The Sun)

Rumour Mill: Celtic slam SFA | Rangers held | Hibs