Dan Casey learns Celtic suspension fate after Motherwell defender's controversial red card appeal heard
Dan Casey WILL be available to face Celtic on Boxing Day.
The Motherwell defender was giving his marching orders by ref Chris Graham during the second half of their 1-1 Premiership draw with Kilmarnock. He was sent packing for violent conduct for pushing Killie winger Danny Armstrong. But 'Well boss Stuart Kettlewell fumed afterwards, describing it as the worst decision he's ever seen at a game he's been involved in. Opposite number Derek McInnes was also left raging, believing his side were denied a stone wall penalty.
The Steelmen lodged an appeal with the Scottish FA sharpish on Monday morning. The appeals panel reviewed Casey's case on Christmas Eve and have upheld/rescinded the red shown to the Irishman, who is now free to line up against Brendan Rodgers' men at Parkhead on Thursday, meaning Kettlewell won't have to rejig his defensive options in order to try and keep the champions out.
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He said of the dismissal: “I think that’s wholly unacceptable. I don’t think you can ever see that scenario where it’s cut and dry, I find it baffling. After the game I said it was in the top three worst decisions from games I’ve been involved in - on hindsight I’ve looked at it again and composed myself and it is genuinely the worst one I’ve seen.
“It’s worldwide on TV, we’re trying to give the best account of ourselves. We never played particularly well but I don’t think that kind of decision does the game in this country any favours whatsoever."
