IBROX NUTTER SPARKS CHAOS

THE Celtic women’s derby with their Ibrox counterparts descended into chaos after the Hoops’ stoppage-time equaliser in the 1-1 stalemate last night.

The Parkhead side manager Fran Alonso was clearly HEADBUTTED by rival coach Craig McPherson at the end of the game.

The Spaniard had just celebrated Caitlin Hayes’ 99th-minute leveller as he raced along the touchline before joining in the celebrations with his players on the pitch.

Some words were exchanged between the opposing benches as the Hoops joyously acclaimed the goal.

WATCH OUT, FRAN, HE’S BEHIND YOU…Celtic coach Alonso is about to be headbutted by rival Craig McPherson.

The final whistle blew only moments later and, as both sets of players and staff shook hands at Broadwood Stadium, McPherson approached Alonso before headbutting him from behind.

The Celtic gaffer insisted he will not seek a lengthy ban for the Ibrox hothead following the ugly scenes in a match shown live on Sky Sports.

Alonso said: “It is frustration. 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.

CONFRONTATION…Fran Alonso and Craig McPherson go face to face.

“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.”

Alonso, however, insisted he was entitled to celebrate Hayes’ dramatic leveller which wiped out the opening goal from Brogan Hay.

The Hoops coach, speaking to the Daily Mail, added: “I was frustrated in the final stages because we had been pushing for the goal.

“It was an explosion of happiness. That was our section, our fans. They were as happy as I was. It was a beautiful moment that we deserved.”

Rival gaffer Malky Thomson played down the incident, but admitted the Ibrox club would investigate.

He added: “Without seeing it, I won’t comment on it. If that’s the case, there will be an investigation.

“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.”