ANDY WALKER has blasted the SFA's appeals procedure as an 'embarrassment' and 'lazy' in the wake of Scott Brown's Sunday sending off.
The Celtic skipper saw a straight red in the 2-2 draw away to Ross County for a lunge on Liam Boyce and looked poised to miss this weekend's Scottish Cup clash with Rangers.
However, it soon emerged that his appeal would not be heard until next week as, because Monday was a bank holiday, the process couldn't get underway.
Read more: Celtic players stand on verge of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, says Andy Walker
That means Celtic, who have until 3pm today to lodge the paperwork, will be able to field their captain in the knowledge the fast-track system to attempt to overturn his two-game ban won't start until after Sunday's last-four tie.
“I think Celtic are quite right to take advantage of the very lazy governance of Scottish football," said Walker. "The idea that they can’t meet to decide on Celtic’s appeal is a bit of an embarrassment.
“But every club will do the same and I think it’s a boost they have Scott Brown available because under Brendan Rodgers he has shown a great improvement in his game. I think he lost it momentarily against Ross County.
Read more: Celtic players stand on verge of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, says Andy Walker
“It was 100% a red card and I don’t think he will win his appeal. If the process is in place to be taken advantage of, then by all means Celtic should use it. Of course it’s such a big game because it’s the next step for their quest for a treble."
It transpired on Sunday that the SFA had told clubs in advance about the potential delay, but Walker still isn't impressed.
He added: “I don’t think it really washes that they got in touch with clubs to say if there is an appeal to be had we are going to delay it. We all know games take place every week and the idea that whoever is sitting on a panel to decide if an appeal is success can’t somehow get together either today, tomorrow or before the weekend is pretty laughable.
“But it’s the way it works, and when it is in place you absolutely take advantage of it.
“I don’t think there’s any question that when Celtic do get their appeal in they will lose it. But I imagine they will want to have their captain fit and ready to lead them at Hampden."
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