Referee Kevin Clancy books Rangers' Jon Flanagan (right) after a clash with Celtic's Scott Brown

Celtic have branded the Jon Flanagan disciplinary matter "embarrassing for Scottish football" after Rangers successfully appealed his retrospective red card following a hearing at Hampden.

The former Liverpool defender was cited by the Scottish Football Association's compliance officer after a post-match video consultation suggested he had elbowed Celtic's Scott Brown during Sunday's Old Firm game.

Flanagan was booked by referee Kevin Clancy at the time but was handed a two-match ban after a three-person panel decided that the caution should be upgraded to a red card.

Celtic spokesperson: "This whole matter is a huge embarrassment forScottish football"

Rangers released a statement following the decision claiming they had been "singled out" as Celtic's Jozo Simunovic had gone unpunished over a similar incident in the match.

The Ibrox club welcomed the U-turn on Friday, but added: "Obviously we have concerns about the process but we are happy that the correct decision has been upheld."

2:45 Goals in each half from James Tavernier and Scott Arfield saw Rangers beat a lacklustre Celtic 2-0 at Ibrox on Sunday Goals in each half from James Tavernier and Scott Arfield saw Rangers beat a lacklustre Celtic 2-0 at Ibrox on Sunday

It now means that Flanagan will be available for Rangers' final game of the season away to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

A spokesperson for champions Celtic said: ""This whole matter is a huge embarrassment for Scottish football."

0:25 Gary McAllister defended Flanagan after he was charged with elbowing Scott Brown during Sunday's Old Firm game Gary McAllister defended Flanagan after he was charged with elbowing Scott Brown during Sunday's Old Firm game

Ahead of the trip to Rugby Park, Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister said Clancy's on-field call was the correct decision.

He said: "I agreed it was a yellow card. What the referee saw and gave, we were in support of that. That's how I saw it.

"I thought when you'd been given a yellow card, you couldn't be cited. We just backed the referee's decision on the day that it was a yellow.

"I don't want to comment on what happens at other clubs. The fact is Jon is our player, we just thought it was a coming together and what the ref gave we agreed with."