Strachan appeal set for July

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan’s appeal against his touchline ban will not be heard by the Scottish Football Association until July “at the earliest”.

Had he not appealed, Strachan’s four-match suspension would have forced him to sit in the Hampden stands for the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline.

Strachan was sent from the touchline by referee Stuart Dougal during the 3-1 home defeat by Hearts on April 29 for “dissent by word and action”.

The case will be heard by the SFA’s disciplinary committee at their next meeting.

A statement from the SFA confirmed: “This is not likely to be until mid to late July at the earliest.

“This means that Gordon Strachan can continue to be in his team’s technical area at matches and that he will be able to lead his team out on to Hampden at the Tennent’s Scottish Cup Final on May 26.”