Craig McPherson was handed a six-match ban for a headbutt
In a statement earlier this month, he said:
“I know I have severely let myself, our team, and the club down. I hold myself to the highest of standards and have never done anything like this before in a long coaching career, and I know I fell way short of that with my actions.
“This club is also built on incredibly high standards, and I have already apologized to the board, the football staff, and our fantastic group of players, who I care about dearly.
“I would also like to apologize to the Rangers fans, as I know what a privilege it is to represent this club in any capacity. So, I am sorry that I did not uphold the standards this club demands on this occasion.
tensions boiled over after the final whistle in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, and Caitlin Hayes scored an equalizer for Celtic in the 99th minute to deny Rangers, the defending champions and title rivals, a crucial victory. BrPrior to Caitlin Hayes’ compensation in the 99th minute, Rangers appeared poised to secure a vital win at Broadwood. However, the two teams ultimately shared the points. Ogan Hayes’ goal in the ninth minute of extra time saved Fran Alonso’s team a point in the first live SWPL game. Hayes’ goal in the first half looked like it would be the difference.
How Celtic Denied Rangers crucial win
After Glasgow City moved nine focuses clear at the highest point of the table following their 2-0 win at Hibernian on Saturday, Celtic and Officers both knew something besides a triumph in the third Old Firm conflict of the time would be a critical disaster for their title possibilities. Even though the two rivals’ first meeting ended 0-0 in November, Celtic defeated Rangers 3-0 last month, but Malky Thomson’s team dominated the first half of Monday’s match. Rangers got off to a positive start, but they were fortunate not to be behind in the 14th minute when Natasha Flint charged down goalkeeper Jenna Fife’s clearance, only for the ball to rebound back for a goal kick.
After Lisa Martinez appeared to pull Caitlin Hayes to the ground after getting the wrong side of Caitlin Hayes from a corner, Celtic demanded a penalty seven minutes later. Be that as it may, ref Steven MacDonald waved away the requests, and with no VAR in activity, the game stayed goalless. The Rangers dominated the majority of the game despite that incident. Before the hosts, albeit in fortunate circumstances, deservedly took the lead in the 36th minute, captain Kathryn Hill had two attempts routinely saved by Pamela Tajonar.
Kelly Clark, the captain of Celtic, attempted to block Emma Watson’s low cross from the left, but she instead took the ball away from Tajonar, who had rushed off her line to collect it.
Brogan Hay was left with a tap-in to give her team the lead at the half. After the break, Celtic played better, but they didn’t have any clear chances. Flint’s shot went wide just before the hour mark, and Hayes’ header was quickly stopped by Fife seven minutes before the end. The introduction of American forward Kit Loferski, whose signing was made on the day of the game, occurred in the 70th minute. However, it wasn’t until the final seconds that the visitors obtained what may now be an essential point. Alonso, who previously worked for Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino at Everton and Southampton, revealed that he was referred to as a “little rat” as the video was shown to him following the game.
The 46-year-old Spaniard said:
“I don’t know. I never talked to [McPherson] the whole game. So, I never spoke to [McPherson] the whole game. You can see there somebody pushed me from behind.
“It’s disappointing to concede a goal in the last minute; I get it. But I don’t know.
“I was called a ‘little rat’; I don’t know why.”
When asked about the incident after the match, Rangers head coach Malky Thomson said: “Without me seeing it at all, I don’t know that I can comment on it.
“If that’s the case, there will be an investigation, and we’ll look at it.”
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.