Celtic manager Mowbray brands SFA decision to turn down Scott Brown appeal "political"

The Scotland international was sent off during Sunday's Old Firm derby following a clash with Rangers midfielder Kyle Lafferty.

Celtic's appeal against the decision was turned down yesterday after referee Dougie McDonald reviewed video footage of the incident.

• Were the SFA correct to reject Celtic's appeal over Scott Brown's red card?

Referee Craig Thomson admitted he had made a mistake in turning down a Celtic penalty claim in their 2-1 defeat at Ibrox earlier in the season and Steve Conroy controversially chalked off a Marc-Antoine Fortune goal in the 1-1 derby draw at Parkhead in January.

Celtic manager Mowbray, who revealed the club have had talks with the Scottish Football Association about the review system for red cards, claims those two games had a direct bearing on Brown's appeal being turned down.

"In the last two Old Firm games, there were two big decisions that didn't go our way," he said.

"We had an official come out and apologise for a wrong decision which I think should be applauded and probably was applauded at the time.

"There was a lot of controversy over the last game at Celtic Park over Fortune's goal.

"And then another Old Firm game comes along and another contentious decision which has a big effect on the game.

"Maybe another decision in a massive Old Firm game not to go Celtic's way would be just a little bit too much.

"If it had been upheld, it would have been proven to be a wrong decision, I think.

"So maybe the political decision was taken that maybe the right decision had been made."

Mowbray continued: "Other people at the club might have a stronger view on things but having watched it back in fine detail, I can't see a red card, I can't see violent conduct, I can't see a reason why an appeal isn't upheld.

"I sit here bewildered by it really but we have to abide by that and get on with it."

To add fuel to the fire, the editorial in Celtic's weekly publication simply said: "That's why we're paranoid" under a picture of Brown being sent off at Ibrox.

Mowbray claimed the SFA's appeals system was flawed but distanced himself from such sentiments, saying:

"I don't want to get in to a conflict but I like to think I'm not a paranoid guy.

"I'd like to think I'm a balanced individual.

"I look at the reasons and at what went on.

"I look for fairness, basically.

"If I could see a grey area and think, 'I can half-see what the referee is thinking but I don't agree with it' then fine but having watched it, I can't come to that conclusion.

"It's not about me moaning about it, although it appears that I am, it's about getting to a system that works."