Celtic women’s team manager Fran Alonso was headbutted by Rangers coach Craig McPherson. This happened after a heated 1-1 draw in the Celtic-Rangers derby in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Celtic manager Fran Alonso also praised his team’s “attitude, passion, and belief” after a 1-1 draw with rivals Rangers. Celtic’s Caitlin Hayes’ 99th-minute equalizer won a thrilling Old Firm Derby point at Broadwood on Monday, and Alonso was overjoyed. A video appeared soon after the match that showed him being headbutted by a coach from the rival team.
Rangers coach trying to stick the nut on Fran Alonso 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/4FVHhCWsee
— AlanD (@AP196779) March 27, 2023
In a post-match video obtained by Sky Sports, Rangers assistant manager Craig McPherson appears to target a headbutt at the back of Alonso’s head as the two teams shake hands. McPherson was visibly upset by the result and was captured on video forcing his way past players and coaches before apparently thrusting his head into Alonso’s backside. He was then pushed back by other Celtic coaches and players. And the Celtic coach has now remarked on the game but has declined to discuss the incident.
He said, “Delighted with the attitude, passion, and belief of the TEAM! Not the result we wanted but happy to rescue a point in the 99’ Grateful to be supported each game by our amazing fans, we feel you! that was for YOU! Mon the hoops HH.”
OUR FANS 😍, our community, the bhoys, the ghirls, our academy …. together!
— Fran Alonso (@FranAlonsoFA) March 28, 2023
We never give up
WE NEVER STOP 🍀
This is GLASGOW CELTIC 💚 pic.twitter.com/Y7ijY8HSWY
What did the Celtic coach say about the incident?
Alonso spoke to Sky Sports as the video was shown to him, “I don’t know. You can see there, somebody pushed me from behind. I never talked to (McPherson) the whole game.”
He also claimed that he was called a little rat. “It’s obviously disappointing to concede a goal in the last minute, I totally get it. But I don’t know. I was called a ‘little rat’, I don’t know why.”
🗣️ " We can't have that in football at all"
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 27, 2023
It appears Fran Alonso was headbutted by Rangers Assistant Craig McPherson at full-time ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/EdbCCoE5pG
Rangers manager Malky Thomson was asked about the incident. He told the British broadcasting channel, “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.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland spoke about an ongoing investigation, “We have received a report regarding an incident at Broadwood Stadium on the evening of Monday, 27 March 2023. Inquiries to establish any criminality are at an early stage.”
The stalemate keeps Celtic and Rangers in second and third place, respectively, with Glasgow City eight points ahead. Rangers looked to have overtaken Celtic due to Brogan Hay’s 36th-minute goal, but Hayes’ stoppage-time effort kept Alonso’s side undefeated against the reigning champions this season.
It remains to be seen what the investigation yields. What is important is that this type of behavior should be removed from the pitch as soon as possible.
What do you think about the incident? Do you think the Rangers coach deserves punishment? Let us know in the comments down below!
