The champions came from behind to beat the Bairns 4-1 in an exciting Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash at the Falkirk stadium.

However, the biggest talking point was the dismissal of Milne by referee Dougie McDonald in the second half as Vennegoor of Hesselink attempted to go clear.

With Milne and Barr attempting to get back, the Dutchman tumbled to the ground and McDonald raced up to flash his red card at Milne.

However, Barr, insists he was the culprit and is hoping McDonald rescinds the red card.

He said: "It was me who fouled Vennegoor of Hesselink. I told the referee that at the time but he sent off Kenny.

"I felt sorry for my team mate as I do not like to see these things happen. I just wanted to stop the Celtic players scoring and I grabbed him.

"There was two of us beside him so it's not as if it was a 'last' man' foul.

"I thought he was going to send me off at first but the referee came up with a red card for Kenny and he would not go back on it.

"I don't know how Falkirk are going to appeal or how it goes but I hope Kenny's red card is rescinded.

"I managed to get a red card overturned last season against Hearts so it does happen but it all down to the referee now."

Bairns striker Michael Higdon opened the scoring after four minutes but Milne put through his own goal on the half-hour mark.

But second half goals from Kenny Miller and then Shunsuke Nakamura, immediately after Milne had been sent off, gave the visitors a comfortable cushion.

Vennegoor of Hesselink added a fourth before the end to give the champions a boost ahead of their trip to Russia for the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Spartak Moscow.

Fewer than 1,000 fans will travel to Moscow but chief executive Peter Lawwell praised the Hoops supporters who turned up at Falkirk stadium on Sunday.

He told the club's website, www.celticfc.net: "With this game coming in the same week that the club were asked to observe the new rules on unacceptable conduct we are delighted with the magnificent support and response that we got from our supporters at the Falkirk Stadium.

"It was a tremendous performance from both them and the team this afternoon.

"We will now look forward to this week's Champions League qualifier and next weekend's trip up to Aberdeen, where we are sure they will provide a similar backing."

As expected, Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe has joined Celtic until the end of the season.

The full-back spent the second half of last season on loan from Rennes and scored the match-winning goal in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline at Hampden Park.