Barr hit with suspension

Gretna defender Craig Barr has been handed a four-match ban by the SFA following his red card against St Mirren last weekend.

The 20 year-old was sent off by referee Mike Tumilty for his second bookable offence after a late challenge on Will Haining.

It was his second dismissal of the season and he will be miss the crucial ties with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Falkirk, as well as the home fixtures against Hibs and Hearts.

But Head Coach Davie Irons will be in the dugout for Caley Thistle’s visit to Fir Park on Saturday despite being handed a two-match touchline ban.

The SFA threw out Irons’ appeal against the ban for using foul and abusive language at a disciplinary hearing at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

He denies accusations by fourth official Chris Boyle that he swore at referee Crawford Allan in protest at Craig Barr’s red card in the 2-1 defeat to Motherwell on August 25th.

And he has now lodged a second appeal, meaning he the suspension is set aside until the outcome of a further hearing.

“In a court of law this would have been thrown out because they are taking the word of one person against five other people,” said Irons.

“When it comes to kicking a bag of footballs in frustration I’m guilty as charged, but I did not use foul and abusive language.”

Gretna are still without defender Aurélien Collin, who has returned to France to see a specialist after suffering a knee injury against Celtic. Midfielder Abdul Osman also remains sidelined with a troublesome back injury.

But they are boosted by the news that Uruguayan Fabian Yantorno is fit to play after limping off against St Mirren.