Celtic's Glenn Loovens has hit back at Rangers rival Maurice Edu for branding him guilty of a 'malicious' challenge during the last Old Firm derby of the season, reports the Daily Mail. The incident has been referred by the SFA's Video Review Panel to their disciplinary committee, who meet early next month.

The Celtic defender said: "He (Edu) is entitled to his opinion - but he can't speak for what I am thinking.

"The word "malicious" makes it sound like it was deliberate but it wasn't. And, if I remember correctly, he played on afterwards.

"When you look at the incident in slow motion, it is always going to look worse, but it was a split moment. I know what I was thinking and it definitely wasn't on purpose.

"That is why I will appear before the SFA in person and make sure I put across what my intentions were.

"I don't want to miss the start of the season, so it is important that I don't get suspended," said the 25-year-old.

"I think I have been suspended once in my career and that says it all. I know what my thoughts are and I can only go with them."

He added: "If they decide to suspend me - which I don't think they will - then it will be something I have to do then.

"It was an accident and I think the SFA will realise that."