UEFA have talked down Celtic's hopes in their battle to overturn Neil Lennon's two-match suspension, which manager Martin O'Neill branded as "crazy".
The player was punished for his bust-up with Swiss referee Urs Meier in Lyon and O'Neill promptly sent a letter of appeal to European football's governing body but that is unlikely to stop Lennon from missing the UEFA Cup tie with Czech side Teplice.
A UEFA spokesperson said: "Celtic have made an appeal and it's likely to be heard on January 29 or 30 when the next appeals body comes together.
"The club have to pay a fee for the appeal but it's unlikely that the original ruling will be increased or overturned."
O'Neill is hopeful of star striker Henrik Larsson being fit to face Hibernian on Saturday despite an injury which has plagued him since last Thursday's CIS Insurance Cup defeat to Hibernian.
"He is very sore at the moment," he said. "He declared himself fit to play [against Motherwell on Sunday] and we wanted him to play.
"He wasn't really right but we are hoping with a week's rest he should be okay for Hibs."
More promising for O'Neill was the performance of rejuvenated goalkeeper Robert Douglas.
The on-song Scotland international made a vital penalty save from Derek Adams after John Hartson had fired them ahead.
O'Neill was planning to speak with his agent Blair Morgan today over claims he had been given permission to speak to other clubs from next month but he made it clear that he did not want to offload him when the transfer window reopens despite Magnus Hedman's imminent return to fitness.