Celtic to appeal Brown suspension

Neil Lennon has confirmed Celtic will appeal the red card shown to Scott Brown in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

Brown was dismissed midway through the second half at Celtic Park for kicking out at Barcelona forward Neymar, after the Brazilian took a tumble under a challenge from the Celtic captain.

Barca went on to seal a 1-0 win courtesy of Cesc Fabregas’ header, avenging last season’s memorable defeat at the same venue.

Lennon was seething with referee Stephane Lannoy’s decision to dismiss his skipper and confirmed an appeal will be lodged with UEFA.

“We are looking at appealing the red card. I think we should. It was soft,” Lennon is quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times.

The 28-year-old will definitely face a one-match ban if Celtic’s expected appeal fails.

If the incident is deemed violent conduct by UEFA, there is also a chance Brown’s suspension could be extended to three games.

Lennon was proud of his players’ response to the set-back in the aftermath of the game.

“It is really difficult playing against Barcelona with 11 men,” he told the club’s official website. “It’s even harder with 10, but we created two brilliant chances.

“The game got stretched in the end. We went for it – I would rather lose 2-0 going for it than see the game out 1-0 and you saw the quality of my goalkeeper in the end as well.

“We were always in the game right up until the last kick of the ball.”