BOSS Graeme Stewart could be BANNED from Buckie Thistle’s Scottish Cup-tie against Celtic at Parkhead a week today.
The gaffer could miss the biggest game in the club’s history after seeing red in his side’s 3-2 Highland League win over Huntly yesterday.
Stewart was banished by referee Harry Bruce after a 55th-minute flashpoint with opposition midfielder Alex Thoirs in a brief brawl.
The confrontation erupted when the home side’s player clashed with Darryl McHardy and there was another altercation with visiting skipper Sam Pugh. In the midst of the mayhem, the Buckie chief marched on to the pitch to confront Thoirs.
Stewart was given a straight red card and sent to the stands as the match official attempted to restore order.
The referee’s report is expected to be with the SFA compliance officer tomorrow. The Buckie coach faces being hit by a one-match suspension that would keep him away from the dug-out against Brendan Rodgers’ Cup holders.
Stewart said: “Of course, I’m concerned. I’d rather not be suspended.
“Hindsight, I wish I’d never gone on the pitch. I went to calm the situation down. If I told you what their player said, it was ridiculous.
“I’m not going to say it because I actually quite like the lad from Huntly who said it.”
The team boss, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “After the game he’s apologised to me and some of the guys because he shouldn’t have said it.
“I’ve reacted and he’s probably got what he wanted – and I’ve been sent off. If it comes to it, I hope I can appeal.”
On the incendiary incident with Buckie’s captain Pugh, Huntly’s Thoirs admitted: “Some of their players did say I tried to break his leg. But, no. I did mention: ‘You’ve got a game next week, do you want to play?’
“That’s the shouts that happen on a football pitch. It’s nothing malicious. We both laughed and joked straight after it and it was done and dusted.
“I didn’t even see Graeme coming on the pitch.”
The Hoops face Buckie in the east end of Glasgow a week today with a 4pm kick-off.
