Celtic boss Neil Lennon to miss eight games

Celtic boss Neil Lennon is facing an eight-match touchline ban following his bust-up with Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist on Wednesday night.

On Thursday, Celtic accepted a revised ban of four games for a prior offence.

Now Lennon faces an additional two-match sanction for his altercation with McCoist – which will double due to his misconduct record this season.

For his part in the incident after Rangers’ 1-0 defeat, McCoist will also receive a two-match suspension.

The bans are forthcoming as the pair were reported by the referee Calum Murray, and fourth official Iain Brines for clashing at full-time of the Scottish Cup fifth-round replay at Celtic Park.

Lennon’s ban is four matches as this is the second time he has been reported for misconduct this term, while McCoist’s punishment is standard for a first offence.

Both men are able to contest the bans and once appeals are lodged the automatic sanctions are set aside pending the outcome of the cases’ consideration by the Scottish Football Association’s disciplinary committee.

Lennon had already appealed against another six-game suspension, which was reduced to four following a successful appeal.

Following that decision by an independent review board, the club said they would comment further once given an official reason for the outcome.

“We are awaiting the reasons for this in writing and will make further comment on this issue when this has been received,” said Celtic.

“The new sanction imposed by the appeals board is accepted.”

Lennon was found guilty of “excessive misconduct” following an altercation with fourth official Steven McLean in an away defeat by Hearts in November.

But Celtic were angered by the length of the suspension, which was a two-match automatic suspension plus a further four matches for excessive misconduct.

Clearly, we are pleased that the appeals board has decided to set aside the SFA’s original decision in its entirety

Celtic statement

However, they have now accepted the new sanction of an automatic two-match suspension and an additional two matches.

“Clearly, we are pleased that the appeals board has decided to set aside the SFA’s original decision in its entirety,” said their website statement.

Lennon’s ban will begin on Saturday against Hamilton Accies in the Scottish Premier League.

He misses the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, a league meeting against Hibernian and the Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Rangers on 20 March.

Lennon could be in further trouble following Wednesday’s altercation with Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist during his side’s 1-0 win in their Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park.

The Scottish Football Association has yet to receive the referee’s report from that match and will only then decide its next course of action.