Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose has told AfricanFootball.com he does not regret being sent off to ensure his Scottish club Celtic did not lose at home against Hearts at the weekend.

Celtic fans hailed Ambrose’s selflessness when his last-ditch tackle stopped goal-bound Hearts Sam Nicholson from doing damage in the dying minutes of a goalless home draw with Hearts on Saturday.

The Nigeria international said he did not have any other option than to cause a professional foul and subsequently be sent off.

“I was happy to help my team get something from the game,” he told AfricanFootball.com

“I was the last man and so I had no choice but to make the tackle and save us from losing the game in the very last minute.”

Champions Celtic are now second on the table with Hearts closely behind in third place.

Ambrose also came up against his national teammate Juwon Oshaniwa, who was solid in the Hearts defence.

“It was nice to be together again and play on the same pitch but I always prefer when we are playing together in the same team than playing on opposing sides,” said the Celtic ace.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com