Brown hands Celtic Old Firm blow

April 9, 2009

GLASGOW (AFP) – Scottish international midfielder Scott Brown will miss the last Old Firm game of the season after picking up a booking in Celtic’s 4-0 victory over Falkirk at Parkhead.

Brown was handed his sixth yellow card of the season against the Bairns for a two-footed tackle on Thomas Scobbie, triggering an automatic suspension.

He will start a two-match ban following the Hoops game against Aberdeen on April 18 which means he misses Celtic’s first two games after the Scottish Premier League split.

One of these games is likely to be a potential title-deciding clash against Rangers and his manager Gordon Strachan says they will have to cope without him.

“That’s the way it goes – that’s life. I think his discipline has been good this year and to be punished for something that went on years ago is wrong,” Strachan said.

“We have come through a difficult section in the season for us and it is all right for us. The points are the most important things.”

Dutchman Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored his second goal in two games in the match against Falkirk.

After not finding the net for nearly six months Strachan hopes his scoring run can continue as the Hoops face a crucial away match to Hearts on Saturday.

“That happens in life when you step down a level. He has played terrifically tonight but that does not mean he will play well on Saturday,” Strachan said.

“He could go to bed every night and sleep soundly because he is doing everything he can to be a good player and you can’t fault that.”

Celtic maintained their three point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League with their convincing win.

A first-half goal from Gary Caldwell sent the Hoops on their way before second-half goals from Vennegoor of Hesselink, Aiden McGeady and Darren O’Dea made sure of the win.

In Paisley, Rangers brought St Mirren’s unbeaten record at their new home to an end with a 2-1 win.

Kris Boyd fired in Sasa Papac’s neat cut-back to give Rangers the lead before Maurice Edu scored his first goal for the club with a bullet header from Pedro Mendes’ corner.

In the second-half, Andy Dorman latched on to Craig Dargo’s excellent threaded pass to pull one back for St Mirren but Walter Smith’s side held on to claim all three points.

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