Celtic captain Neil Lennon has been given a three-match ban by the Scottish Football Association for his clash with referee Stuart Dougal after last month's Premier League match against Rangers. The former Northern Ireland international was dismissed by the match official following the Hoops' 3-1 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox on August 20. But the 34-year-old appeared to barge Dougal after he was shown a red card after the final whistle. Lennon attended an SFA disciplinary hearing at Hampden Park on Tuesday, along with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan. The midfielder had looked set to earn a lengthy ban after the altercation with Dougal. He appeared to barge his chest into that of the official, while assistant referee Jim Lyon appeared to be pushed aside, before Lennon was eventually restrained by Celtic team-mate Paul Telfer. Lennon publicly apologised for his actions, on Celtic's official website, but the punishment does not mirror that meted out to Hearts midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas last season. He received two red cards for barging assistant Andy Davis and swearing at referee Hugh Dallas in a match against Rangers last March. The Lithuanian received an eight-match ban, which was later reduced to six games following appeal. The SFA confirmed the ban will come into immediate effect. An SFA spokesman said: "The Scottish FA Disciplinary Committee today gave a three-match ban to the Celtic player, Neil Lennon, for misconduct of a significantly serious nature at the recent Scottish Premier League match between Rangers and Celtic. "The player appeared personally before the committee, who considered that the ban was appropriate in view of the serious nature of the offence. The ban applies to all football, with immediate effect."