VAR GRAPES

SFA boot out Celts appeal over Yang’s red for a high kick in Tynecastle defeat

CELTIC’S bid to have Hyun-jun Yang’s controversial Tynecastle red card overturned was booted out at Hampden last night.

Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers was infuriated by the decision to upgrade the winger’s yellow card to a red after ref Don Robertson (right) studied footage of his high boot clash with Alex Cochrane on the pitch side monitor, acting under the advice of VAR John Beaton.

Celtic launched an appeal against the decision and also wrote to the SFA to express concerns about key decisions made during the 2-0 defeat - including the penalty which handed Hearts a breakthrough before half time.

But the judicial panel rejected the complaint while also dismissing a similar appeal from Kilmarnock who wanted Lewis Mayo’s weekend red card at Dundee to be quashed.

Rodgers has come under fire for pointing a finger of blame at match official Robertson – and Beaton in particular – with former Celtic boss Neil Lennon admitting to feeling ‘uncomfortable’ with a post match interview conducted in the immediate aftermath of the match.

During that discussion live on Sky TV Rodgers twice named Beaton by name while branding the decisions as ‘incompetent’ and the Northern Irishman is now expected to be carpeted by the SFA for his outburst.

It’s understood Celtic have been further infuriated by last night’s decision having argued that Yang wasn’t attempting to tackle Cochrane and neither was the player guilty of using excessive force.

A club spokesperson said: “We have received notification that the club’s claim has been dismissed.

“Clearly we are surprised and extremely disappointed at this decision.”