Dundee United's Nadir Ciftci charged by SFA

Dundee United's Nadir Ciftci is facing a two-match ban having been served with a notice of complaint from the Scottish Football Association compliance officer.

The striker appeared to catch Scott Brown with his right boot after the Celtic captain had tackled the striker in a first-half flashpoint during the contentious Scottish Cup tie at Tannadice. 

Neither Brown not Ciftci faced any sanction at the time from referee Craig Thomson, while United midfielder Paul Paton and visiting defender Virgil van Dijk were sent off for their part in the ensuing melee.

The two clubs are appealing those dismissals, claiming Paton's was a case of mistaken identify and Van Dijk's was wrongful dismissal.

Regarding Ciftci, Dundee United issued a statement which read: "The club will review the evidence ahead of the 3pm deadline on Wednesday once it has received the full documentation from the Scottish FA."

Speaking on Monday, Brown said: "I was kicked in the head (by Ciftci). You can blatantly see that. We will see what happens with that."

Ciftci, who is already banned for the League Cup final between the two sides on March 15 for a previous transgression, would be banned 'for one match to be served immediately, irrespective of competition, and one match to be served in the Scottish Cup' if he is found guilty.

This would cover the Scottish Cup replay on March 18 and the league game at Celtic Park three days later.

The hearings for Van Dijk and Paton wil be heard at Hampden Park on Thursday, March 12.

Meanwhile, Celtic are not happy that the United midfielder Calum Butcher, who tangled with Van Dijk during the incident, appears to have escaped any censure.

There is no leeway in the SFA disciplinary protocol that allows the compliance officer to raise a complaint against Butcher. He can only do so for incidents not seen by match officials - and the clash with van Dijk was seen by the match officials, although it appears the wrong man (Paton) was dismissed.   

A Celtic statement read: "We note that no action appears to have been taken in relation to Calum Butcher of Dundee United. 

"It seems completely illogical and fundamentally unfair that, in an incident where mistaken identity has been claimed, the Dundee United player now identified clearly as being involved in the incident appears to have no case to answer - and would be available to play in the League Cup final and the Scottish Cup replay between the two teams - while Celtic’s player (Van Dijk) may potentially miss both of those matches.

"Celtic Football Club and Virgil van Dijk maintain their position that no red card offence was committed by Virgil. Virgil will appear at Hampden to put his case on Thursday and we will fully support him in this appeal."