BROWN WILL PLAY IN GERS IBROX CLASH
Born Celtic
SCOTT BROWN is set to face Rangers at Ibrox in the final Old Firm derby of the season after the SFA moved his disciplinary hearing.
It’s a timely boost for the treble Treble chasers as Ryan Christie was ruled out of the cup final with multiple facial fractures.
Brown was rapped by the SFA for “failing to act in the best interests of Scottish football” when celebrating in front of the Rangers fans following his side’s 2-1 derby win on March 31.
The hearing has been brought forward a week at Celtic’s request in a move which could help their skipper avoid any potential ban for the trip to face Rangers.
Brown’s case will now go in front of the Hampden panel next Friday, April 26 but was originally planned for Thursday, May 2.
An SFA spokesman confirmed the hearing date had been moved at Celtic’s behest saying: “Clubs can request for a change of date for hearings and as long as it’s a reasonable request the SFA will always try and accommodate.”
Celtic face Hibs on Sunday before Brown’s hearing next week. Thereafter they face Kilmarnock and Aberdeen before the last meeting with Rangers, at Ibrox, on May 12.
It means Brown would have to be slapped with a three-game ban if he was to miss the last meeting with Rangers of the season.
Celtic vowed to “vigorously” contest the charges levelled at both their skipper and the club in the wake of the explosive Parkhead encounter.
Meanhile, Christie’s horror face injury has ruled him out of Celtic’s Hampden date with destiny. And Jack Hendry will also miss the rest of the season after picking up a hamstring strain.
The Hoops star had hoped to recover from the sickening head knock suffered in last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final win against Aberdeen (above).
But Parkhead boss Neil Lennon last night revealed the club had given up hope of having the playmaker following surgery yesterday to repair multiple facial fractures.