As we reported yesterday, Celtic decided NOT to appeal Jozo Simunovic’s extended ban.

The club waited for the official documentation breaking down the disciplinary panel’s decision before making the call.

Having read it, they decided the best course of action was to not appeal.

However, this was not solely down to the UEFA explanation as some at the club feel the defender has been harshly treated.

Celtic officials fear any appeal would fall on deaf ears and leave Jozo out of the Athens tie should the bhoys get the job done in Norway on Wednesday.

The fear of losing the option of playing the big defender next round seems to be the driving force more than anything.

A club spokesman told the Daily Record:

“Having taken a close look at the decision by UEFA’s disciplinary panel to increase the original one-match suspension the feeling is it would be too big a gamble to appeal against it.

“The list of precedents show they are unlikely to have a change of heart so it makes more sense for the player to serve out this suspension now rather than be ruled out of the next tie, be that against AEK in the Champions League or Cork in the Europa League.”