Barca’s Busquets to miss Celtic ties

CELTIC’s Champions League hopes were given a boost yesterday with the news that Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has been handed a two-match ban by Uefa following his dismissal in the 2-0 Group G victory over Benfica last week.

Busquets saw red in the 88th minute of the match for a rash challenge on Benfica captain Maxi Pereira.

The ban will rule him out of Barca’s group matches against Celtic, in Barcelona on 23 October and in Glasgow on 7 November, although Busquets has three days to appeal the ban.

Celtic are second in Group G, behind Barcelona, after a draw with Benfica in the opening group game and a 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow last week.