SCOTT BAIN insists Scott Brown’s recent citation for celebrating Celtic’s 2-1 win over their Ibrox visitors is “pathetic”.
The 33-year-old Hoops skipper was rapped by the SFA for “failing to act in the best interests of association football” during the stormy aftermath to the Glasgow derby.
Both clubs face a fine for failing to control players and staff after a melee flared up – which saw Brown and rival defender Andy Halliday clash with Bain stepping in to attempt to restore order.
Bain, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “It happens, sometimes emotions can boil over in a game.
“I think there’s a lot been made of Scott Brown being cited for a ban for celebrating on the pitch when you’ve got to look at the bigger picture.
“Players go through abuse through the entire game from opposition fans, from Twitter, from social media.
“I think you’ve got to give and take a bit. I think if he wants to celebrate a big win after a difficult defeat at Ibrox in the last game, I think you’ve got to let him have it.
“You see what the boys and players in every team goes through, putting your hands up in the air and shouting: ‘Yes’.
“It’s a bit pathetic to get any sort of ban from it.”
The Scotland international keeper, who is poised to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday, insisted Hoops players do not get involved with rival players and supporters.
BUST-UP…Scott Bain and Scott Brown are on the receiving end from Andy Halliday.
He said: “It’s always been that case, we always strive to never bite back. There’s times when you’re allowed to celebrate a great win.
“It’s always a case of abuse from the stands, if you say something back the spotlight’s on you.
“We really pride ourselves on not getting involved in it. But, like I say, if you want to put your hands in the air and celebrate a win you should be allowed to.
“It’s a bit unfair that you’re going to have to go through every single game of football now, watch every celebration and if it’s too close to opposition fans then that person needs to be cited and potentially banned.”
Looking ahead to the showdown with the Dons, Bain added: “I don’t think the manager needs to say much to get us motivated for Sunday.
“Players like Scott Brown always push us to a standard to achieve these goals, as well.
“We’ve had a lot of success over the past few years and teams want to stop us. We need to make sure we’re on our game to keep going.
“They’re strong, physical and love to attack quickly. It’s a case of getting our game plan sorted and, hopefully, we can progress.”
The Parkhead men are on the brink of history with the unprecedented treble treble within touching distance.
A win over Derek McInnes’ men will see them going back to the national stadium for the May 25th Cup Final against either Hearts or Inverness Caley Thistle, who play the other last-four tie tomorrow.
The eighth successive title is odds-on to already be in the trophy cabinet in the east end of Glasgow by the time that showpiece encounter takes place.
And then the real party can kick off!
