IN THE DOCK!

Celtic vow to defend Christie over violent conduct charge

The Parkhead club vowed to ‘vigorously’ defend their player after he was served with an SFA notice of complaint, following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to the Ibrox side at Celtic Park.

The 24-year-old is accused of grabbing Morelos’ groin area in the 60th minute. Christie had already been booked by referee Kevin Clancy but no further punishment was meted out by the match CELTIC last night expressed astonishment as Ryan Christie was hit with a violent conduct charge after an Old Firm clash with Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.

official. Sportsmail revealed yesterday that Christie himself was rushed to hospital in the hours after Sunday’s derby to undergo urgent groin surgery, ironically picking up the injury in a separate clash with Morelos.

While there is no timescale for when Christie is expected to return to action following the surgical procedure, he now faces a two-game ban and would miss a Scottish Cup trip to Partick Thistle and a league match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

A hearing will take place on January 6 and a Celtic spokesman said: ‘We are absolutely astonished at this decision. Clearly, we will defend Ryan vigorously.’

Police Scotland, meanwhile, have confirmed they are investigating alleged racist abuse aimed at Morelos during the Old Firm clash.

The Ibrox club claimed their Colombian striker was targeted after he was sent off towards the end of his side’s win.

Online footage later revealed shouts of ‘Orange b ****** ’ and ‘Hun b ****** ’ directed towards the player.

The Ibrox club also claim the striker was the target of racist abuse as he made his way off the pitch and down the tunnel — and they made an official complaint yesterday.

A Police Scotland statement read: ‘We can confirm we are investigating a complaint of racist chants directed at a Rangers player at the Celtic versus Rangers SPFL match on Sunday, 29 December, 2019. Enquiries are ongoing.’

Celtic released a statement on Monday, saying they had received no reports of racial abuse but would fully investigate should anything be brought to their attention.

It read: ‘We are aware of the gestures made by the player towards Celtic supporters. We have received no reports of any racial abuse but would fully investigate any should these be brought to our attention.’

Morelos was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for diving in an attempt to win a penalty at the end of the game.

The striker received his first booking for a foul on Celtic skipper Scott Brown earlier in the match.

Upon leaving the field, he enraged the home support by making a throat-slitting gesture. Sportsmail understands Morelos could still face action as the incident is not covered by the SFA’s Fast Track procedures.

Regardless of any fresh charge, Morelos will miss the first three games after the winter break as a consequence of his ongoing disciplinary issues.