Celtic say they would be “astonished” if Tom Boyd’s commentary sparks a Scottish Football Association disciplinary charge.
SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte is understood to be reviewing the former club captain’s criticism of referee John Beaton during Celtic TV’s live coverage of Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Dunfermline.
The Celtic ambassador claimed Neil Lennon’s side were up against 12 men and that Beaton had “bottled” a potential penalty award.
He also claimed the Lanarkshire-based official would be “welcomed down his pub again”, in an apparent reference to a photograph of Beaton that appeared after he refereed last season’s New Year derby between Celtic and Rangers.
After it emerged Whyte would review the comments, a Celtic spokesperson said: “We have had absolutely no contact from the SFA in relation
to this matter and, given the context and circumstances in which the comments were made, would be astonished if the matter were to be progressed. If it is, then we will respond robustly.”
Ladbrokes Premiership clubs face fines ranging from £1,000 to £100,000 if found guilty of the charge.
Meanwhile, Leigh Griffiths has admitted Celtic are entering a “defining period” of their season as he pleaded for unity between supporters and players.
The Parkhead side face AIK Stockholm in Glasgow on Thursday night in the Europa League first-leg play-off, the return taking place in Sweden seven days later, and Hearts are at Parkhead on Sunday in the league with the first clash with Rangers coming a week after that before an international break.
Griffiths realises the players need to win back some goodwill and winning the next four games would be hugely important at this stage of the campaign.
He said: “It’s a huge couple of weeks for us. Obviously, the play-offs against Stockholm are crucial and then we have Hearts at home and Rangers away. That’s a defining period for us.
“If we can get through those four games by qualifying for the Europa League and taking full points from the Premiership fixtures then we’ll be in good spirits.
“The alternative definitely doesn’t bear thinking about. If you flip the coin then we could be out of Europe
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