Inverness to fight Meekings ban

Inverness have rejected the offer of a one match ban for defender Josh Meekings.

He could be set to miss the William Hill Scottish Cup final after being offered a retrospective ban for handling Leigh Griffiths' goal-bound header. Scottish Football Association compliance officer Tony

McGlennan has issued a 'notice of complaint' to Meekings, whose transgression was missed by the six match officials on duty at Hampden on Sunday when Caley Thistle beat Celtic 3-2.

Caley Thistle immediately announced their intention to fight the suspension.

In a statement, they said: "Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC can confirm that it has declined the fixed one-match suspension offer in relation to the notice of complaint issued to Josh Meekings following an alleged breach of disciplinary rule 200 at the ICTFC v Celtic game on Sunday, March 19 2015.

"The club intends to vigorously defend our player and is taking legal advice on the issue.''

"We are extremely disappointed that this has arisen and the player himself is mentally shattered at the turn of events.''

Celtic assistant John Collins insists the desire for "a simple answer'' lay behind Celtic's decision to write to the Scottish FA about the officiating in Sunday's semi-final defeat.

The Scottish Premiership leaders released a statement on Monday revealing they were "seeking an understanding'' of the failure to penalise Meekings.

Ahead of the trip to Dundee on Wednesday night, Collins explained the reason behind the question while insisting Celtic have already "moved on''.

"We want a simple answer,'' he said. If you are looking for an answer you ask a question.

"Everyone knows it was a key moment in the game. It didn't go our way and we are just asking why.

"We have a massive support all over the world. The supporters are all asking the question so the club has probably asked on behalf of all the supporters around the world.

"The first thing I have to say is we congratulate Inverness and John Hughes, they have done a fantastic job and we wish them all the best in the final.

"We are just looking for an answer but trust me, we have moved on.''