Boss in U-turn over red card

RONNY Deila, the Celtic manager, admitted he may have inadvertently prejudiced Dedryck Boyata’s chances of having his red card overturned by stating initially that the player deserved to be sent off

oyata was dismissed by referee Craig Thomson for a challenge on Carlton Morris during Celtic’s 1-1 draw at Hamilton on Friday.

Television replays showed the defender got a touch on the ball before bringing down the striker but, in his post-match thoughts, Deila revealed he had no complaints with the decision and felt the red card was merited.

After watching footage of the incident “100 times” over the weekend, Deila has changed his mind and Celtic have appealed the red card, freeing Boyata to play against Dundee tomorrow prior to his hearing.

Deila conceded that his initial opinion may go against the player but insisted he had no regrets for taking such a stance.

“Maybe (what I said will influence the appeal) but it showed that I was at least honest,” said the Norwegian. “When you see the incident from behind the goal then you can see he touched the ball. And then it is not a red card. It was also offside so there are a couple of things that have gone wrong. But it is tough making decisions like that.

“I have changed my mind because I have seen it 100 times now. We are going to appeal the decision because he gets a touch on the ball and it is not a red card. I do not think he should be banned for an extra game.”

Deila, though, did not feel any obligation to apologise to Boyata, believing the defender should not have put himself in danger in the first place by lunging into such a tackle.

“I spoke to Dedryck but I am not sorry,” he said. “I still believe what I said about players staying on their feet. I want them to run with players instead of tackling. But he got his foot on the ball and he agrees with me.”