Appeal clears Strachan for final

Gordon Strachan's appeal will not be heard until the summer

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has been cleared to sit in the dugout during the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic on 26 May.

Strachan has, as expected, lodged an appeal against a four-match touchline suspension due to start on 13 May.

The Scottish FA's disciplinary committee is not due to meet again until late July at the earliest.

So, even if Strachan loses his appeal, any suspension will not come into play until next season.

The Celtic manager had been dismissed from the technical area by referee Stuart Dougal for "dissent by word and action" during their 29 April home defeat by Hearts.

In addition to the cup final, Strachan is now clear to sit in the dugout for Celtic's two remaining Scottish Premier League games.

Strachan had said he found it difficult to understand why he had been sent to the stand at Celtic Park.

"It's hard for me to talk about it because it's such an off-the-wall accusation," he said.

"I shouldn't take it seriously, but I have to do - there you go. Other people can decide on it."