Scottish FA to investigate Rangers assistant McPherson over headbutt
Scottish FA set to investigate Rangers assistant Craig McPherson after he appeared to HEADBUTT Celtic boss Fran Alonso and branded him a ‘rat’ after he wildly celebrated 99th-minute equaliser in chaotic Old Firm clash
- Celtic women drew with Rangers on Monday thanks to a 99th-minute eqauliser
- Fran Alonso celebrated the goal wildly by running down the touchline
- He was then headbutted by Rangers coach Craig McPherson after the game
The Scottish Football Association is set to investigate after Rangers assistant Craig McPherson appeared to headbutt Celtic manager Fran Alonso at the end of Monday’s Scottish Women’s Premier League encounter.
In footage captured by Sky Sports following the match, McPherson seemed to aim a headbutt at the back of Alonso’s head as the players were shaking hands.
The SFA is awaiting the referee’s report and will look into the incident via the compliance officer.
Rangers were on the verge of securing a dramatic victory at Broadwood until Caitlin Hayes’ stoppage-time equaliser ensured the rivals would share the points.
Alonso, who has previously worked under Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino at Everton and Southampton respectively, told Sky Sports he was called a ‘little rat’ as the footage was shown to him after the match.
Rangers coach Craig McPherson appeared to headbutt Celtic women’s boss Fran Alonso
It came after Alonso’s celebration of Celtic’s 99th-minute equaliser seemed to irk McPherson
‘It is frustration,’ said Alonso. ‘It is not how I would show frustration but that is what it was and I understand what happened.
‘It is football. These are the emotions. It was not much. I felt a little bit of contact and then I heard him call me a ‘little rat’. I don’t know why. I don’t know the reason.
‘You would have to ask him. But I had no issues with them during the game. But, honestly, for me, it is nothing. It can stay here as part of the game.
‘I don’t wish him to be banned or suspended. It is not something you want to see but for me it is not a big issue.’
Rangers have been contacted for comment by PA.
When asked about the incident after the match, Rangers head coach Malky Thomson told Sky Sports: ‘Without me seeing it at all, I don’t know that I can comment on it.
‘If that’s the case, then there will be an investigation and we’ll obviously look at it.
‘Craig is not that type of person. I think it is passion and we saw a lot of that on the pitch with two top sides coming together.’
Alonso said he was called ‘a little rat’ by the coach and argued he was ‘entitled to celebrate’
Former Morton and Falkirk midfielder McPherson, 52, had spells as assistant manager at Morton and Dumbarton before joining up with Thompson in the summer of 2021.
The 1-1 draw – in the first Scottish women’s game televised live by Sky Sports – ensured Celtic and Rangers remained second and third, respectively.
Rangers appeared set to leapfrog Celtic thanks to a 36th-minute goal from Brogan Hay, until Hayes’ stoppage-time strike kept Alonso’s side unbeaten against the defending champions this season.
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