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.