Brown free to face Rangers at Ibrox after SFA hearing is moved

CELTIC captain Scott Brown will face Rangers in the final Old Firm game of the season after having his SFA disciplinary hearing brought forward.

The midfielder had faced a potential two-match suspension if a charge over his post-match celebration against Rangers was proven. However. the new date, requested by Celtic, means he could be banned for games against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, rather than against Aberdeen and Rangers.

Brown’s fate will now be decided on April 26, the SFA have confirmed.

The midfielder was accused of breaching a rule which states players, coaches and officials should “act in the best interests of association football”. Rule 77 also references “improper” behaviour and using “threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour” and carries a minimum two-match ban for players.

Both sets of players were involved in a melee after Rangers left-back Andy Halliday remonstrated with Brown over his celebrations after Celtic’s 2-1 win at Parkhead on March 31.

The 33-year-old raised both arms aloft in the direction of the away supporters. Mobile phone footage also showed the midfielder making a gesture with his arm while looking behind him after moving along the main stand touchline past Celtic supporters.

Both clubs face a hearing over the ensuing confrontation on the original May 2 date.

Celtic, meanwhile, have confirmed Ryan Christie will miss the Scottish Cup final.

The midfielder is undergoing surgery after suffering multiple facial fractures during a collision with former Aberdeen team-mate Dominic Ball in last weekend’s semi-final at Hampden.

The 24-year-old will sit out the cup final against Hearts and looks certain to miss Scotland’s European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Belgium in June.

Manager Neil Lennon told Celtic TV: “It’s multiple fractures of the eye socket, jaw and cheekbone as well so the prognosis isn’t good for the rest of the season really.

“We just have to look after him as best as we can and get him back for the start of next season.

“He’s had a great season, he’s a huge player and it was a really horrendous collision. We wish him a speedy recovery. With it being multiple fractures, it’s going to take a bit more time.”

Both Celtic and Hearts will receive a 50/50 split of tickets for the May 25 Hampden final.