If Brendan Rodgers is banned for Celtic's upcoming derby match against Rangers, then conspiracy theorists will be out in full force. 

That's according to former Hoops defender Peter Grant.

The Northern Irishman, 51, will go before the Scottish FA's disciplinary panel at Hampden tomorrow following a notice of complaint sent his way for his comments about the matchday officials during Celtic's 2-0 loss to Hearts earlier this month.

Rodgers branded both Don Robertson and John Beaton, the referee and VAR on that day, as 'incompetent', resulting in the Celtic boss landing himself in hot water for the remarks.

He faces a minimum of a two-game ban if found guilty at the hearing, which would rule him out of being in the dugout for the upcoming away matches against Livingston and Rangers.

Highly regarded football barrister Nick De Marco has been hired to defend the Celtic manager as he aims to steer clear of the charge.

And while Grant is unsure what way the hearing will go, he insists it will make a mockery of Scottish football if Rodgers is banned for the derby match at Ibrox.

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He said on Go Radio's Football Show: "Let me tell you, if he misses the Celtic-Rangers game for whatever reason, you know what people are going to be saying then.

"You know it's going to be making a mockery of Scottish football. You know the conspiracy theorists everybody talks about? That will be building up.

"You're going there without fans and your manager. You know what everyone will be talking about if Brendan is banned for that game where the away supporters are already away from it."

Grant insisted: "I don't think there's a conspiracy against Celtic. I don't think there's a conspiracy against anyone."