Brendan Rodgers faces Rangers dugout ban but Celtic set to fight for their boss after SFA charge

Celtic are ready to got into battle against the SFA for Brendan Rodgers with the Hoops boss facing a dugout ban for next month’s crucial Old Firm clash.

Rodgers has been hit with a notice of complaint for his criticism of VAR official John Beaton after Sunday’s controversial defeat to Hearts. The Parkhead boss will face Hampden beaks on Thursday, March 28 and could be slapped with a two game ban – that would leave the Irishman on the sidelines for Premiership scraps against Livingston and the derby showdown at Ibrox with Rangers on April 7.

Record Sport understands Hoops chiefs are determined to fight the charges with club officials are still seething at the big calls at Tynecastle. Rodgers fumed after Yang Hyun-jun was sent packing for a high boot and then the Jambos were awarded a penalty for a handball against midfielder Tomoki Iwata. Celts have been in contact with the SFA to vent their frustration and are pushing to hear the audio of referee Don Robertson’s confab with Beaton in the VAR centre at Clydesdale House.

Rodgers let rip in his post-match interviews – slamming the ‘incompetence’ of the officials while insisting the mistakes could have a huge impact on the Premiership title race. He said: “My feeling is that the game was decided by officials on the field and outside of the field. I try to respect decisions and give benefit of the doubt.

"But when I see that level of incompetence, the only word I can use, then that makes me worry for the game. In such a tight title race, which it is and it's fantastic and great to be involved in, that can make the difference.” Rodgers’ comments send him on an inevitable collision course with the SFA compliance officer – with strict rules over managers questioning the