Alloa's Niang banned for challenge on Celtic midfielder Ideguchi

Alloa’s Mouhamed Niang has been banned for two games for a reckless challenge on Celtic’s Yosuke Ideguchi.

Niang’s tackle on the Japanese midfielder caused controversy during Celtic’s 2-1 win over Alloa in the Scottish Cup earlier this month, with many surprised that referee Don Robertson only showed a yellow card for the foul.

Ideguchi, who joined Celtic during the transfer window, was forced to go off injured after receiving treatment on the pitch.

The decision was reviewed by the Scottish FA’s compliance officer and a notice of complaint was issued to the Alloa player.

An independent panel studied the case and upgraded the punishment to a red card. Niang will now miss two games: Alloa’s league clash with Clyde this weekend, and his next game in the Scottish Cup.

Following the game, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou had expressed disappointment that Robertson hadn’t shown a red card on the day.

He told Celtic TV: “I said after the game it wasn’t too serious but to be fair I didn’t really get a good look at [Ideguchi].

“It was a terrible tackle and one which should have been addressed by the referee on the day.

“He hasn’t come out of it too well and will be missing for a little bit as well. He’s still pretty painful now.

“The kind of character he is, for him to stay down and come off I knew it was significant.

“I was optimistic it wasn’t too bad but as everyone can see from the footage it was a tackle that shouldn’t have happened and should have been addressed by the referee on the day.”