Neil Lennon insists the SFA have made the right call in finding Leigh Griffiths innocent of stamping on Hamilton’s Sam Woods.
The Celtic striker was facing a two-game ban had he been found guilty of excessive force or brutality following Saturday’s match.
But he is free to face Motherwell tomorrow night having avoided an SFA notice of complaint after a panel of three former referees took a closer look at the incident.
The 29-year-old was booked by Nick Walsh for pushing Woods in the first half flashpoint at Hamilton on Sunday.
But Accies boss Brian Rice was adamant had stamped on his man and said the frontman should have seen red before he went on to play a central part in the 4-1 victory.
However he was cleared of any wrongdoing yesterday. And, speaking earlier in the day, Lennon said he’d have been “bewildered” if Griffiths had copped a retrospective ban.
He said: “I think he is innocent. I do honestly. I don’t think there was any malice in it at all.
“From the angle I saw there was nothing deliberate. You know sometimes when these things are slowed down they look worse than they are.
“What annoyed me was him pushing the player. When he was trying to get up there was no malice to actually stamp on the player.
“But his reaction to raising his hands and pushing someone on the chest - I didn’t like that.
“He got a yellow card then he was warned at half time, behave yourself. Keep your cool and play your football.
“He got better as the game went on.
“He is better letting his football do his talking for him.”
An online data firm last week revealed Celtic have committed the fewest fouls of any top flight club so far this season - and sit in the top 10 for the same stat across Europe’s top divisions.
Asked if the repeated trips to Hampden’s sixth floor was more to do with the profile of the club than indiscipline Lennon said: “Possibly.
“I think we are well disciplined. We are big on team discipline.
“I’ve been taught that by other managers as well.
“Sometimes I think these things can get blown out of proportion.
“We do pride ourselves on self discipline and team discipline.
“So I’m pleased with that stat. That’s one I didn’t know about.
“It’s was something Martin O’Neill was massive on. You could say I got more than a few tellings off.”
