EFE AMBROSE has thrown his full support behind Aleksandar Tonev as the Bulgarian prepares for tomorrow's appeal against a seven-game ban for racist remarks.

The Nigerian says the entire Celtic squad is backing the Bulgarian. Tonev was found guilty of making remarks of a racist nature to Shay Logan when the Hoops played Aberdeen at Parkhead on September 13.

Manager Ronny Deila has revealed Tonev explained he simply told the Dons defender: "Get away from me".

And the Hoops boss is aggrieved that, though it was only one man's word against the other, the initial Disciplinary Tribunal found Tonev guilty.

The club would consider taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if Tonev's name is not cleared. The player served one game of the ban before his appeal was submitted.

The other six games were put in abeyance until this appeal could be heard.

If he is not successful in overturning the decision, Tonev will miss all of Celtic's domestic games until they face Hamilton on January 17, their first match after their mid-season break to Gran Canaria.

Ambrose believes his team-mate is innocent, and hopes his name is cleared. The defender said: "We are a team and we support each other. We want to appeal the case because it is his word against the other man's word.

"Anything that comes out of the appeal, we will stand by him as a team."

Tonev is expected to feature against Partick Thistle tonight when Celtic play their match postponed from the first day of the league season.

Ambrose considers it a crucial moment in their quest to make it four titles in a row and said: "This game gives us the chance to stretch the lead in the league.

"It's the right time for us to take command of the championship and to move forward."

Ambrose will not now be heading to the African Cup of Nations from mid-January to early February after holders Nigeria were knocked out of the race for qualification.

That means he will be available for selection for the League Cup semi-final against Rangers on February 1 and the Scottish Cup tie against Dundee the following weekend.