Robson faces United cold storage

Barry Robson was sent off for head-butting Celtic's Lee Naylor

Dundee United captain Barry Robson could be sent into cold storage for the rest of the season to avoid suspension at the start of next term.

He is one booking away from a four-match ban following Saturday's red card against Celtic.

So manager Craig Levein told BBC Sport that his is considering not playing the midfielder again this season.

However, Levein will not make a decision until a few days before the 21 April match against Dunfermline.

The decision on how Robson will be disciplined by the club for his head-butt on Lee Naylor will be made later this week by Levein and club chairman Eddie Thompson.

Robson kicked and then butted the Celtic full-back before being sent off.

Levein said: "He has apologised to Lee Naylor and to his team-mates for his stupid behaviour. "It was a stupid reaction to being held by the Celtic player."

Robson has to recognise that he has to set an example Craig Levein Dundee United boss

The United boss said Robson was fortunate that, despite being reduced to 10 men, United had scored a late equaliser.

"Barry is a player who is very wholehearted and tries to do his best every time he walks on the park," said Levein.

"I don't want to take that out of his game, but he has to recognise that he has to set an example.

"You'd need to speak to a psychologist to find out what goes on in his head at times and I think you have to go to university for six or seven years to be able to say for sure.

"Now he faces a four-match ban if he gets another booking and we can't afford to lose him as he is our captain and best player.

"He has put me in a difficult position."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish FA said: "The red card will take him up to 16 points. He'll miss the next game.

"If he's cautioned in either of the next two games, he would be given a four-match suspension."