Kenny Miller will be suspended for Sunday's Old Firm derby after losing his appeal against the red card he picked up in Rangers' 7-1 win over Dundee United on Wednesday. Miller - who has also played for Celtic - will serve a two match ban for kicking out at United defender Darren Dods.
Miller was shown a straight red card for violent conduct by referee Willie Collum with his team leading 3-1 at Ibrox. Rangers boss Walter Smith was sure that video evidence would clear his striker of any wrongdoing, but Collum has stuck by his original decision aftering reviewing the incident.
The former Hibs and Derby striker will also miss the Gers trip to Hamilton in the SPL on January 16. In a statement released by the Scottish Football Association, it was confirmed that Miller will be unavailable for two matches and that the appeal will not be heard by an independent review panel.
It read: "In accordance with the provisions for claims of wrongful dismissal, the referee, William Collum, was requested to review the circumstances of the player's sending off, in conjunction with the Referee Development Department.
"The referee has indicated that he is content with his decision, after confirmation of the player's violent conduct using both arm and leg.
"The claim is therefore dismissed automatically and will not be referred to the review panel. The player's automatic one-match suspension is applied, with 12 penalty points added to his disciplinary record."
Rangers go into the trip to face Celtic seven points clear at the top of the SPL, but the loss of Miller makes it five first team regulars that Smith must do without. Madjid Bougherra is on international duty, whilst Steven Naismith, DaMarcus Beasley and Kevin Thomson are all injured.
