CELTIC goalkeeper Artur Boruc was in the wars on more than one front as his team were hammered 4-2 at home by Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season. Boruc gifted Daniel Cousin a first half goal then dropped a clanger for Kenny Miller's second as Rangers ran riot at Parkhead.

It then emerged that the Polish 'keeper, already in trouble with his national team boss for breaking a recent curfew, could face disciplinary action after he was photographed making gestures to the Rangers crowd.

A spokesman for the Scottish Football Association told PA Sport, "We will be referring the incident to the review panel to see if there is a case to answer."

Manager Gordon Strachan admitted it wasn't Boruc's best day in a Celtic shirt and said, "I will speak to Artur, see how he feels and we will analyze it from there."

Celtic defender Gary Caldwell was defiant in defeat and said, "We are chasing Rangers again but we proved last year that we are strong enough to do that and I'm sure we will do it again this year.

"We are the champions, they've got to try to come and take it from us. This time they were better than us and we hold our hands up but as it proved last year, it is a long season."

Strachan also admitted that he never saw the second half capitulation coming. "At halftime I couldn't see that coming," he claimed.

"I thought it was a good game but we dealt with their aerial threat and there was a minimum of chances. I felt comfortable and was looking forward to the second half.

"But through some bizarre goals and an excellent strike we found ourselves in a position which was difficult to claw back. "In two out of three previous seasons we have lost the first Old Firm game and gone on to win the title so we can do it but it needs to be a great effort again but the challenge doesn't scare me."

Celtic coach Neil Lennon was treated in hospital for concussion after he was attacked on a Glasgow street in the early hours of Monday morning.

A police spokeswoman said, "Police were called at 12:25 a.m. to a report of a 37-year-old man assaulted in Ashton Lane. The injured man was taken to hospital, then released after treatment for minor injuries.

"He did not wish to make a complaint; however, police inquiries are ongoing into the incident."

Striker Derek Riordain has left Celtic to return to Hibernian while former Parkhead defender Stephen Pressley has signed for Danish side Randers.

Soccer Shorts

WIGAN winger Kevin Kilbane may play with a face mask in Ireland's World Cup opener against Georgia in Mainz on Saturday after he fractured his cheekbone in Saturday's win over Hull City . . .

CORK City striker John O'Flynn has left the cash strapped Leeside club for English outfit Barnet. Cork are currently in receivership and were docked 10 points by the FAI last week . . .

DROGHEDA United's plans to move to a new 10,000 seater stadium have been hit by planning problems concerning the rezoning of their current United Park ground . . .

THE eircom League Cup final between Wexford Youths and Derry City will be played at Wexford's Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday, September 27 . . .

FORMER Irish striker Alan Lee has moved from Ipswich Town to Coca Cola Championship rivals Crystal Palace . . .

IRISH international defender Steve Finnan has left Liverpool for a two year deal with Spanish side Espan-

yol . . .

BLACKBURN Rovers have completed the signing of MK Dons' Irish captain Keith Andr-

ews . . .

SUNDERLAND'S Irish defender Paul McShane has joined Hull City on a season long loan . . .

EVERTON failed with a 3.5 million deadline day move for Reading's Ireland winger Stephen Hunt . . .

IRISH striker Stephen Elliott moved from Wolves to Preston

on transfer deadline

day . . .

AARON Callaghan has quit as Longford Town manager.

Clarke Snubbed

EUROPEAN Ryder Cup team captain Nick Faldo dropped a bombshell on Sunday when he snubbed Ireland's Darren Clarke for a wildcard pick for this month's event in Valhalla.

Clarke, a hero at the K Club two years ago just weeks after the death of his wife Heather to cancer, has been overlooked by Faldo along with fellow Cup veterans Paul McGinley and Colin Montgomerie.

Instead Faldo has turned to fellow Englishmen Ian Poulter and Paul Casey on his team.

"Nick rang me after my last round at Gleneagles to say that I wasn't going to be one of his picks, and I simply wished him all the best," said Clarke.

"Obviously I am disappointed that I wasn't selected, but I have dealt with much worse and it will make me all the more determined to make the team that will plays in Wales next time.

"I would like to wish him and his team all the very best for Valhalla. I will be supporting them from wherever I am."

Ireland will now be represented at Valhalla by Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell.

"My money was on Ian Poulter and Clarkey to make the wildcards but he threw Paul Casey in there," said McDowell.

"I was a little surprised and disappointed, obviously, as I would love to have Darren in the team and maybe have got a game with him.

"Darren has got a fantastic Ryder Cup record and he's a great match player, the kind of man you want in the side but Paul Casey is a wonderful player as well.

"Paul's match play record is outstanding and he's a World Match Play champion and a really solid player. I'm disappointed for Darren but I think we've got a great team and a really good chance to win."

Even American ace Jim Furyk was stunned by Clarke's snub. "I think everyone kind of felt like Darren was going to get the nod," said Furyk.

"All of his teammates and actually our guys respect him. He's a good friend of a bunch of guys over here and I know the guys on their team love him.

"He's great behind the scenes, a good team guy, so I think I'm a little surprised Darren wasn't a pick. From a personal perspective, Darren is a friend and I feel badly for him that he's not there. He's a great guy and a great team member."

United States captain Paul Azinger also said he was surprised by Faldo's picks.

"I thought it was between Casey and Poulter. I thought Clarke was a lock," Azinger said. "But the guys he picked are really good. His dilemma is a nice one to have.

"You look at all the guys he had to choose ... I don't have that. It's not like I have a bunch of veterans with monster records at the Ryder Cup."

In other golf news, Harrington is down to fourth in the latest world rankings with McDowell in 31st. Clarke and McGinley are 61st and 86th respectively.