20.07.2015 21:10 h

Biting shame costs Ciftci six game ban

New Celtic striker Nadir Ciftci will miss the first six games of the upcoming domestic season after being found guilty of a biting offence, it was announced Monday.

Ciftci, who joined the Scottish champions from top-flight rivals Dundee United, received an eight-game ban -- with two suspended -- after being found guilty of biting Jim McAlister during a Dundee derby on the final day of last season.

The 23-year-old Turkish forward denied the offence but was found guilty of excessive misconduct by a judicial panel convened by the Scottish Football Association.

Allegations emerged hours after United's 3-0 Tannadice win on May 24 when a photograph appearing to show a bite mark on McAlister's leg was posted on social media.

The Scottish Professional Football League broadcast footage of the incident on its official YouTube channel, with McAlister heard claiming Ciftci had bitten him.

Former Portsmouth forward Ciftci will miss Celtic's six Premiership fixtures in August, including a trip to United's Tannadice ground, meaning his first home game in the league could be against Dundee on September 19.

But he will remain available for Celtic's Champions League qualifying campaign after making his debut in their 2-0 first-leg win over Stjarnan in the second qualifying round.