February appeal date for O'Neill

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is set for a February 7 showdown with UEFA after successfully having his appeal date moved back to next month.

The European governing body will allow the Parkhead boss to switch the appeal date against his two-match ban to avoid missing the winter break training session in Florida.

O’Neill is desperate to make a personal appeal over the suspension, which would see him watch both legs of the UEFA Cup fourth round against Stuttgart from the stand.

The Hoops boss was handed down the punishment after being ordered from the dug-out for unsporting behaviour by French referee Claude Columbo during the third round, first leg win over Celta Vigo.

The club launched an appeal before the second leg, allowing O’Neill to be present on the touchline for the game in Spain.

The original date for the appeal was next Tuesday but the European governing body are set to allow the former Leicester boss to attend the club’s week-long training session in the United States.

A UEFA spokesman said: “The appeal is likely to take place on February 7 – at the beginning of next month – although we are waiting for confirmation to make an official announcement.”