Smith hit with four-game ban

Rangers boss Walter Smith has been handed a four-match touchline ban for his sending-off in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League game at Kilmarnock, the Scottish Football Association confirmed on Thursday.

Smith was banished to the stand by referee Steve Conroy during Saturday's goalless draw for reacting furiously to Killie players he mistakenly thought were trying to get Pedro Mendes shown a second yellow card.

An SFA spokesman said Smith had been charged with "adopting a threatening and aggressive attitude" at Rugby Park.

The Ibrox boss has until September 30 to appeal, but is unlikely to contest the charge, having already admitted he was "out of order".

He said on Tuesday: "I will have the right of appeal, like anyone else, and it will depend on what they accuse me of. But when you're out of order, like I admit I was on Saturday, then you have to accept it. I was wrong in my reaction."

Under the SFA's disciplinary rules, Smith faced an automatic two-match touchline ban beginning 14 days from the incident in question.

However, two games are added to the punishment for every prior case of misconduct during the previous three years.

Smith served a two-match ban after being sent off in a Scottish Cup game against Hibernian in March 2008.

His four-match suspension therefore sees the Ibrox boss sidelined from the October 4 Old Firm derby and SPL games against St Johnstone and Hibs, as well as the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final at Dundee.

He will be allowed to return to the dugout for the November 1 league game at Dundee United.