THE SFA insist they were being consistent by fining Artur Boruc a paltry £500 for the one-fingered gesture he made to Rangers supporters in the last Old Firm derby.

Boruc was yesterday handed the fine and a severe reprimand by an SFA disciplinary commission for his actions during the August 31 clash at Parkhead.

The 28-year-old was originally charged last month after an SFA review panel examined photographs of the incident.

It’s not the first time the Poland international has been caught on camera antagonising opposition supporters, so such a mild financial penalty is bound to raise a few eyebrows

Boruc’s fine is of the order given to Dundee United keeper Lukasz Zaluska for gestures made during a match against Aberdeen last season.

SFA president George Peat said: “The SFA tries to be as consistent as possible.

“You could have the same position with someone who is earning a lot less and, unless you decided that you were going to take it as a percentage of his earnings, it’s a difficult one to evaluate.

“We certainly have to discourage it as it does no-one any good to try to incite supporters and we have to eliminate that.

“We just hope that the message has got through and it does not continue.”

Boruc will be in goal for tomorrow’s SPL clash with Hibs, another team whose fans he has riled in the past.

Hibees boss Mixu Paatelainen, was also in front of the disciplinary committee as he lost his appeal against a four-match touchline ban.

Paatelainen will be in the dugout tomorrow, with his suspension taking effect on November 1.

Meanwhile, Hibs assistant Donald Park has backed Derek Riordan to flourish on his first return to Parkhead.

Park said: “You’re always keen to go back and he would love to score, I’m sure.”