Hoops captain faces SFA hearing

CELTIC captain Neil Lennon will hope the Scottish Football Association’s disciplinary committee will take his previous good conduct into account when they examine his behaviour at Ibrox on Saturday.

The former Northern Ireland midfielder will be hauled before the committee on September 20 following his clash with referee Stuart Dougal after the final whistle in the 3-1 defeat by Rangers.

Lennon was red-carded for foul and abusive language after confronting the official as the teams walked off.

He then barged into assistant referee Jim Lyon before being restrained by team-mates Shaun Maloney and Paul Telfer.

The SFA could throw the book at him as they did when Hearts midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas was hit with an eight-match ban - reduced to six on appeal - for his push on assistant Andy Davis during a meeting with Rangers last season.

He is already facing a one-match suspension for the red card.

However, the 34-year-old, whose only dismissal in five years with Celtic came in the CIS Insurance Cup final against Rangers in March 2003, will bank on his apology and his disciplinary record to save him from a lengthier spell on the sidelines.

The SFA are expecting Dougal’s report to arrive at Hampden Park today but they understand it will contain details of the midfielder’s rant and subsequent attempts to confront the official.

The 3-1 defeat to Rangers has caused more consternation for manager Gordon Strachan after a difficult start to his reign.

The Scot must plan for Sunday’s trip to Dunfermline without Lennon, Alan Thompson - who was also sent off - and the injured Chris Sutton.