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Rangers Women coach Craig McPherson handed six-game ban for HEADBUTT on Celtic manager Fran Alonso

  /  autty

Rangers Women assistant coach Craig McPherson has been handed a six-game suspension from the Scottish FA for a headbutt on Celtic manager Fran Alonso.

The 52-year-old approached Alonso as players and members of staff were shaking hands after the 1-1 draw in the derby day encounter at the end of March.

The former Falkirk midfielder appeared to headbutt the Celtic manager from behind as he was speaking to players after the final whistle.

Tensions were already high among both benches as Caitlin Hayes bagged a 99th minute equaliser to snatch the three points away from their fierce cross-city rivals.

Alonso temporarily lost his cool after the dramatic late leveller hit the back of the net as he sprinted down the touchline to celebrate with his players.

McPherson admitted to have been in breach of SFA disciplinary rule 77 in regards to violent conduct, which has resulted in an immediate six-game ban.

On April 1, McPherson issued a statement apologising in full for his attack on the Celtic manager and confessed that he would 'accept in full' any punishment handed to him.

The statement read: 'I would like to offer a full and unreserved apology for my actions at the end of Monday's Old Firm match at Broadwood.

'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.

'I would also like to apologise to the Rangers fans as I am aware of what a privilege it is to represent this club in any capacity, and I am sorry that on this occasion I did not uphold the standards this club demands.

'Finally, I am also very grateful to Fran Alonso for accepting my apology in full following our lengthy conversation earlier in the week.'

McPherson will not be allowed in the dugout for any of Rangers' upcoming games against Partick Thistle, Glasgow City, Motherwell, Hearts, Hibernian or the retun fixture against Celtic on May 4.