Source: Team_Talk
Venus not over the moon with SFA
The Holland defender is in limbo, not knowing if or when he will serve a one-game suspension for an alleged stamp on Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu in a SPL clash at Ibrox on May 9.
Referee Craig Thompson missed the incident but the SFA reviewed it on DVD in the immediate aftermath and the ban was handed down in August.
The Parkhead club subsequently appealed but, more than 19 weeks since the incident, no date has yet been set for the hearing with the SFA still in the process of putting together a three-man panel with an independent chairman.
After such a delay Venus, speaking ahead of Wednesday's Co-Operative Insurance Cup third-round tie at Falkirk, will not take too kindly to the prospect of Loovens' ban being possibly upheld and him having to sit out the date with Rangers on Sunday week.
"I believe we have actually offered some dates to the panel about the hearing but as yet we haven't come together to get the right day," he said.
"The indecision with the length of time the appeal is taking doesn't do the manager's long-term plans any favours, I would suggest.
"It has run for a while now and we have a lot of fixtures coming up.
"To benefit all parties, clubs, players, press, and the SPL, the
quicker the better, isn't it?
"If they can get together as quickly as possible when the appeal comes in and deal with it, as they do with other things, on the same day or the Monday or Tuesday, then I think everyone would prefer that.
"To let it drag on and drag on and drag on, I don't know, it doesn't seem as professional as it could be to me."
Venus added: "I don't see how we can get together before the Old Firm game.
"Surely you would need a bit of time to put your appeal together?
"We did appeal weeks ago so you would like to think you would get the courtesy of getting a bit of notice as to when the date is suitable for both parties."
Venus insists Celtic will be treating the Co-Operative Insurance Cup with maximum respect even though he hinted that boss Tony
Mowbray may take the opportunity to rest some of his regulars.
"It is one of the three domestic trophies and we are going to try and win it," he said.
"I don't know if we will play our strongest side.
"We have a squad of players and it wouldn't surprise me if some of the other (fringe) players played.
"But no matters who plays, we will be going to win it."
