CELTIC defender Virgil van Dijk has been cleared to play against Dundee United in Sunday’s League Cup Final at Hampden.
It was feared the Dutch star would be banned after last week’s shocking sending-off at Tannadice.
However, his suspension for a red card against United during a flashpoint moment has been quashed.
An altercation in the aftermath of a Scott Brown challenge on Nadir Ciftci resulted in Van Dijk and United’s Paul Paton both being sent off.
An altercation in the aftermath of a Scott Brown challenge on Nadir Ciftci resulted in Van Dijk and United’s Paul Paton both being sent off.
Celtic appealed against Van Dijk’s red card, and the Scottish FA judicial panel ruled it should be rescinded.
Referee Craig Thomson had overlooked the incident until it was brought to his notice by over-zealous assistant Graham Chambers, who compounded his error by confusing Calum Butcher for team-mate Paton, who had nothing to do with the incident.
Van Dijk will now take his normal place at the heart of the defence alongside Jason Denayer at Hampden.
