Dundee United have appealed the red card Ryan McGowan picked up in Wednesday night's 4-0 William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final replay defeat by Celtic at Parkhead.

In the final minutes of the match the United defender was dismissed by referee Calum Murray for a challenge on Hoops' substitute Liam Henderson to the anger of Celtic manager Ronny Deila.

The Norwegian boss described the challenge as "stupid" and claimed it could have injured the midfielder "for life."

Deila subsequently refuted Tannadice suggestions that McGowan's challenge was no worse than skipper Scott Brown's unpunished tackle on United striker Nadir Ciftci in the first Scottish Cup tie at Tannadice.

In an exchange on his official Twitter account, McGowan said: "not saying that at all mate! Saying I don't think mine was worse than Browns so hardly career threatening."

A statement on the Tannadice club's website read: "Dundee United confirms that it has submitted an appeal to the Scottish FA relating to the dismissal for serious foul play of defender Ryan McGowan during the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final replay versus Celtic on Wednesday."

The former Hearts player is free to play at Celtic Park on Sunday as the teams meet for the fourth time in 14 days.