Rangers boss Malky Thompson refuses to comment as police probe Celtic headbutt incident – BBC News
Rangers Women boss Malky Thompson refused to comment when asked about the “headbutt” incident following the 1-1 draw with Celtic, BBC News reports.
Gers coach Craig McPherson confronted Celtic boss Fran Alonso following the final whistle in scenes televised by Sky Sports on Monday night (28 March).
And police have confirmed they are investigating the incident to assess “any criminality”, after emotions boiled over following a 99th-minute equaliser from Caitlyn Hayes for the Hoops had cancelled out Brogan Hay’s first-half opener.
Rangers manager Malky Thomson refused to pass judgement at the time and said, as per BBC News: “Without me seeing it I wouldn’t comment. If that is the case there will be an investigation and we will look at it.”
While a police spokesperson said, also via BBC News: “Inquiries to establish any criminality are at an early stage.”
Alonso claimed that McPherson had called him “a little rat” as he pushed him from behind.
Lost it
Passions run high in football and not least in an Old Firm derby but a coach apparently headbutting an opposing member of staff is going to result in nothing but trouble.
The Glasgow rivalry is special in many ways but this won’t do anything for its image in the wider consciousness.
Ally McCoist, no stranger to a confrontation between coaches in a clash with Celtic himself, made the point on talkSPORT on Tuesday morning (28 March), via the Daily Record, that coming from the rear to “blindside someone” is not part of the game in the way that a simple argument might be.
And he’s right since you expect to see tempers flare in heated derby matches, but obviously there has to be a limit to it and Monday night’s incident went past it.
McPherson was never going to get away with something like that anyway, let alone in a game against Celtic live on Sky Sports.
Rangers will have no choice but to react accordingly regardless of any separate investigations from authorities, since losing your head in such a manner while everyone else managed to keep their composure is clearly unacceptable.
In other Rangers news, a controversial Gers ace has been bafflingly held responsible for a “bizarre” episode that surely cost the club millions in the transfer market.