Miller time as Strachan sweats over appeal verdict

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan could be facing a lengthy touchline ban after he was sent from the dug-out following a spat with a steward during the Hoops’ 3-1 victory at Aberdeen yesterday.

Strachan is due to put his case against a four-game sentence on Wednesday imposed after he was ordered to the stand for alleged dissent during Hearts’ victory at Parkhead in April. The Hoops boss was given a two-game touchline ban earlier last term – as the result of a clash with Hearts coach John McGlynn – which is why the punishment would be increased for the second offence. If he loses his appeal, he could potentially be hit with an additional six-match ban depending on what is contained in referee Charlie Richmond’s report on yesterday’s game, as his third offence in two seasons would carry an even greater punishment.

The controversial incident flared up shortly after substitute Kenny Miller gave Celtic an 85th-minute lead in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Pittodrie. Celtic assistant manager Garry Pendrey made a gesture to the Main Stand crowd showing that Celtic were winning 2-1, which prompted a steward to claim that Pendrey had flashed an offensive ’V-sign’.

It was then that Strachan became involved, protesting his assistant’s innocence, before Richmond made the decision to remove the former Aberdeen midfielder from the pitch-side area. Strachan did not appear at the post-match press conference and declined to talk to TV and radio afterwards. But infuriated Celtic first team coach Tommy Burns gave his version of events following an enthralling contest in the Granite City.

He said: “Someone came down with a steward’s badge on, looking to bring a policeman into it and accusing Garry of sticking his two fingers up provocatively. Gordon knew that wasn’t the case and that he [the steward] was telling a downright lie. Then for some strange reason he was sent to the stand, so it will be interesting to see the referee’s report regarding what he was actually sent to the stand for.”

The heated scenes took the shine off an impressive second-half performance from Celtic in overcoming a spirited Aberdeen side who took the lead in the 25th minute thanks to a Craig Brewster tap-in. Massimo Donati equalised with a curling shot not long after Shunsuke Nakamura had struck the bar with a free-kick and two late Miller goals gave Celtic the points.

ABERDEEN: Soutar, Hart, Considine, Diamond (Touzani 81), McNamara, Nicholson, Severin, Jamie Smith (Foster 68), Clark, Brewster (Miller 66), Mackie.

CELTIC: Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati, McGeady, McDonald (Miller 76), Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Referee: C Richmond.