Guidetti Set To Discover Fate

Pic: Jeff Holmes

Celtic striker John Guidetti will discover on Thursday if he is to be punished for singing an allegedly "offensive" song about the demise of Old Firm rivals Rangers. The on-loan Manchester City hitman had been due to appear before the Scottish Football Association's disciplinary panel on April 9 but that hearing was postponed. However, the SFA has confirmed to Press Association Sport the 22-year-old's case will now be heard this Thursday. Guidetti was issued with a notice of complaint last month after giving an interview to Dutch TV show FC Rijnmond. In it, he repeats a chant sung about him by the Hoops support: "Oh John Guidetti, puts the ball in the net-y, he's a Super Swede and the huns are deid, walking in Guidetti wonderland." Rangers fans claim the term "hun" is a sectarian slur - although supporters of other clubs insist it has no religious connotations. SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan accused the Swede of breaching disciplinary rule 73, stating that "on or around March 6, 2015, you did in the course of a interview given to the Dutch Television Programme FC Rijnmond, make comment of an offensive nature". It is not clear if Guidetti will appear before the Hampden panel at Thursday's re-arranged hearing but Celtic have already backed the player. In a statement issued last month, a spokesman for the Parkhead outfit said: "We are very surprised and disappointed that this has even found its way to an SFA judicial panel. John Guidetti will be defending this charge." Guidetti made a sensational start to his Celtic switch, scoring 11 goals in his first 12 games after moving north from the Etihad Stadium. But his form has been patchy since and he was left on the bench by boss Ronny Deila on Sunday as the Hoops took another step towards their fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title with a 3-0 Tannadice win over Dundee United. Deila, meanwhile, is now looking forward to finally clinching his first league title as Celtic boss. The Glasgow giants will be crowned champions if they beat Dundee at Celtic Park on Friday night and Aberdeen fail to see off Dundee United on Saturday, an achievement which will represent the pinnacle of his first season as manager. "The highest (point) will be to win the league," said the Norwegian at Celtic's player of the year awards dinner on Sunday night. "This club has done it for many years and it demands to win. "I am very proud of the players. They have been unbelievable this season and have lost just one game in the league since after Christmas. "That's how it should be. That is how we are going to progress." The former Stromsgodset boss was something of an unknown when he replaced Neil Lennon last summer. After a tricky start to his tenure - two chances of qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League were spurned - he has become a popular figure with the Hoops fans who now look forward to his 'Ronny Roar' celebration after victories. Deila had the chance to speak to some of those supporters when he addressed the guests at the dinner. "I was unbelievably proud to become Celtic manager and after this season I am even more proud," he said. "I have seen what Celtic is all about. Friendship, family, they take care of each other and the way you have done it to me is fantastic. Thank you. "I am not here to set my own records but to build the club and move it in the right direction, so that we have youngsters coming forward, so that we have an attacking team that the supporters like to watch, and so that we win trophies."