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      ‘Was it directly hit by a solar flare?’ – SPFL club’s ‘charcoal sausage roll’ leaves fans speechless

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      IT’S tradition for many football fans on match-days to sample a pre-match or half-time snack from one of their club’s many fine kiosks. But even the most peckish punters won’t be flocking to one Scottish Championship club’s stadium for a meal any time soon after seeing the sausage rolls they have on offer. 
      Fans aren’t impressed with the meal
      Fans from across the UK have taken aim at the Scottish side after Footy Scran, a Twitter account which rates stadium snacks, posted pictures of the well-fired pastry dish on the platform. 
      Launched in 2020, the page asks footy supporters to rate food items from football matches around the world. 
      Below the pictures, fans can deliver their verdict on the meals by picking between ‘Scran’ or ‘No Scran.’
      Scottish teams regularly feature, with a burger from Aberdeen’s Pittodrie recently rated as one of the worst items of footy grub – with 93.57 per-cent of those who voted opting against the snack. 

      And now another Scottish club has been posted, but sadly not for the right reasons either!
      The platform’s 526,000 followers have shown their distaste towards the blackened sausage roll, with one fan asking if it had been found in a “Roman archaeology dig”.
      But the big question is, where did it come from?
      Well if you want to get your hands on the savoury meal, you will need to head up to the Highlands and visit the Caledonian Stadium – home of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
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      The Jags hosted Championship leaders Dundee yesterday and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
      It leaves the Dens Park outfit still leading the chase for the title – one point ahead of Queens Park – and Inverness in pole position for a play-off spot in third.
      But while it was a crunch clash with plenty on the line, one punter was more focused on his char-grilled sausage roll after being handed it over the counter.
      He then sent it in to the Footy Scran admins.
      And it didn’t go down well with fellow supporters as 87.5 per-cent of voters chose ‘No Scran’ compared to the 12.5 per-cent who claimed they would give it a go.
      They took to the comments to highlight their disbelief at the heavily burnt pastry snack too.
      One fellow football fan asked: “Was it directly hit by a solar flare?”
      Another added: “Rescued from a fire in the kitchen.”
      Someone else laughed: “Remember kids, if you’re naughty, Santa will leave a sausage roll from Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC in your stocking.”
      A fourth joked: “That’s a charcoal briquette.”
      An Inverness fan said: “No wonder we can’t afford our electric bills!”
      Whilst a sixth laughed: “Super Caley go ballistic, that sausage roll is atrocious.”
      The price of the sausage roll was £2.50, which is fairly cheap for your average stadium food.
      But most fans have admitted even that’s too much and insist they’d need to be paid to sample it.
      One comment read: “You’d have to pay me £250 to try that.”

      Another said: “That’s £2.50 too much.”

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      Ex-Celtic star looks unrecognisable after quitting football to race motorbikes

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      THERE’s not many careers that are more thrilling than being a professional footballer. But one former Celtic star has decided to up the ante even more after hanging up his boots as he’s opted for the ultimate adrenaline rush.
      This former Celtic star has a new passion since retiring
      He now races motorbikes
      Most former pros wind down when they announce their retirement and take time off from the game or head into coaching.
      But ex-Hoops ace Rico Annoni has went a step further and has followed his boyhood passion – racing motorbikes.
      The 56-year-old signed for Celtic in 1997 and spent two years at Parkhead before leaving in 1999 to take care of his ill father.
      Nicknamed Tarzan, for his long hairstyle at Roma, he lifted the Scottish top-flight title and League Cup during his short stint with the Hoops.

      But he was bald when he moved to Glasgow, accompanied with a stylish goatee.
      Now, he has a similar appearance but looks very different with his white beard instead.
      And even the most eagle-eyed fans would struggle to recognise him when he’s on the back of one of his many motorbikes.
      Annoni has an impressive collection to his name, with an MV Agusta, Ducati and Harley Davidson in his garage.
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      And they’re not just for show!
      The Italian is a keen rider and has competed in various amateur competitions in the past.
      He’s a lover of superbikes, but he started out with supermotos when he retired from football.
      Speaking to Tuttomercato in 2020, he said: “When I hung up my boots, I tried to exploit my passion and dedicated myself to Supermotard in my first year as a former footballer, which is a new discipline: cross bikes with road wheels.
      “I raced with other famous people such as Kristian Ghedina and DJ Ringo, had made a team available to us. I also joined a small team that competed in the Tunisian desert and participated in a program called ‘L’isola dei muddy’, dedicated to Enduro, on Nuvolari.
      “There I had the opportunity to test some bikes. Then I entered the world of Superbikes.”
      While he loved football and doesn’t regret becoming a professional, he was always passionate about motorcycles, even when he was a young boy.
      He said: “My relationship with two wheels began practically when I was born, having grown up in a mechanical workshop and therefore engines are in my blood.
      “As a child, I wanted to do everything except stay at home. After all, being born in a small town and growing up in a workshop, you developed a passion for mopeds.
      “I also remember when I used to go with my father to pick up large-engined motorcycles. I’ve always seen the bike as a tool that can give you a sense of freedom.
      “But I didn’t want to be a professional motorcyclist. I consider myself lucky to have become a professional footballer.
      “When I started being a footballer I had to give it up because it is dangerous for my profession. Once I hung up my boots, I dedicated myself to it body and soul.”
      He continues to compete at an amateur level and has yet to finish a race on the podium, but insists the point of racing is to have fun.

      He added: “I’ve never been on the podium. But I’ve had a lot of fun.”

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      Ex-Celtic star issues apology after being accused of making Nazi salute during goal celebration

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      FORMER Celtic striker Patryk Klimala has issued an apology after he was accused of making a Nazi salute after he scored a goal in Israel.The Polish star signed for Israeli club Hapoel Be’er Sheva on a free transfer in February…less than two years after the Hoops raked in £3.4 million for him.
      Patryk Klimala left Celtic in 2021Credit: PA
      Klimala says his gesture has been “misunderstood”
      He netted for the third game in a row as he helped Hapoel Be’er Sheva to a 2-1 win at Hapoel Jerusalem, but immediately raised one hand in celebration to his club’s fans behind the goal.
      But he was then the subject of a storm of criticism online from Israeli fans who understood his gesture to be a Nazi salute and attacked the 24-year-old.
      It forced Klimala into making a statement as he tried to explain his celebrations.
      Klimala said: “My gesture during the goal celebration was completely misunderstood.

      “As a Pole who respects the history of both countries, I would never even think of doing the Nazi salute.
      “While living in Poland, I visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and I am fully aware of the importance of the history of Jewish heritage.
      “After my goal, I just wanted to say hello to our fans. Other than that, it certainly wasn’t anything else.
      “Sorry if anyone took it the wrong way.
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      “Last but not least, this is a great opportunity to thank our fans again for all their support and I’m happy to say we’ve had another great win.”
      Klimala was at Celtic for 16 months after he cost them £3.5 million from Jagiellonia Bialystok three years ago and scored just three goals in 27 appearances before moving to the MLS with New York Red Bulls and then on to Israeli football.

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      I was a Celtic Invincible but took year out to go to uni now I’m considering retiring aged just 28 to start new career

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      JOZO SIMUNOVIC has revealed that he is already planning for life after football – and could hang up his boots aged just 28. The former Celtic defender, who was part of Brendan Rodgers’ Invincible side of 2016/17, is at a crossroads with his career and is unsure if he will continue playing.
      Jozo Simunovic lifted 11 trophies during his time at ParkheadCredit: Reuters
      The defender left the Hoops in 2020Credit: EPA
      He made history with the Hoops under the Irishman as he helped Celtic win 17 successive matches in all competitions during their unbeaten campaign.
      It was the club’s best winning streak since Jock Stein’s legends won 25 in a row in 1966.
      Simunovic spent five years at Celtic after joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015.
      He ran down his contract at Parkhead and left in 2020 but it took him a year to find his next club.

      He then returned to his homeland to sign for HNK Gorica but his spell didn’t last too long as his stint with the Croatian side ended the following year.
      Simunovic, 28, is still in Croatia without a club, and is weighing up whether to continue with his football career.
      The defender hasn’t played for a year after he took time away from the game to focus on completing a sports management degree and his coaching badges.
      The centre-back has admitted that he could make a return to football next season, but is planning for his future away from the pitch.
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      He told SunSport: “Life is good. I have a one-year old baby now and I am very busy!
      “Come the summer I will decide whether to start playing football again or not. We will see how it goes.
      “Right now, I have a lot to be busy with. I’m at university and also doing my badges.
      “I am studying sports management. I have been doing that for the last two years and I enjoy it.
      “It’s going OK and I am combining that with my coaching qualifications.
      “If I don’t go back to playing, I will stay in football — it’s really all I think about.
      “That could be coaching, agency work or sports management.
      “Let’s see what happens.”
      Simunovic was gutted to leave Celtic back in 2020 but insists the club remains close to his heart.
      He said: “I spent five years in Scotland. It was a long time and I have so many happy memories.
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      “We played in big games, we won a lot of trophies and I will always see Celtic as a special place.”

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      I’m an ex-Celtic trialist who was dubbed the ‘next Ryan Giggs’, now I own a luxury watch business and rake in £5m a year

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      HE was once trying to impress Martin O’Neill while on trial for Celtic. Now he is making millions from his luxury watch business since hanging up his boots, despite being one of the biggest prospects to come out of British football almost 20 years ago.
      He is earning huge cash selling his luxury watches
      The former wonderkid started the business in 2013
      He sells the luxury watches to celebrities and footballers
      Labelled the next Ryan Giggs when he trained with the Manchester United first team, Ramon Calliste was tipped for big things when he arrived onto the scene as a teenager.
      He joined the Red Devils in 2001 and was invited up to the senior squad under Sir Alex Ferguson and trained alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney during his time at the club.
      It didn’t work out for him at Old Trafford though and he moved on to Liverpool instead, where he became the top scorer for their reserve side.
      But frustrated with his lack of first team opportunities, and taking on advice from then-Wales manager John Toshack, he moved to Scunthorpe in 2006.

      After bouncing around the lower leagues in England, he realised that his career may never hit the heights many expected after struggling with injuries.
      His career could have been very different though as it’s understood Calliste once had a trial with Celtic and was invited to take part in a summer youth tournament in 2004.
      He joined the club for the competition but he was never offered a contract.
      But despite not reaching the level he hoped he would as a player, it’s not done him any harm as he’s now raking around £5million a year after starting up his own luxury watch business.
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      He launched Global Watches, now known as Global Boutique, in 2013 – a company that sells high-end timepieces, including Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Hublot.
      And he’s now making mega money selling products to footballers, celebrities and other high-rollers.
      Speaking to SunSport last year, he said: “When I realised football wasn’t going to give me the life I desired, it was about setting up something else and moving fast.
      “I started to get involved in watches through contacts I had in the world of football.
      “Once I saw it could become a viable business, I set up Global Watches in 2013 and it’s become a really strong company that’s now turning over millions.
      “The idea is to keep it growing and hopefully sell the company in five or ten years time, just like Watchfinder did recently.”
      He admitted that he was a complete novice when it came to setting up his own business.
      But having a well-known name in football helped him as other players contacted him as they trusted him due to his past playing career.
      “Running any business is very difficult,” he said
      “When you’re dealing with high-value goods, there’s a lot of compliance and regulations to bear in mind.
      “We do everything by the book here and it’s very important to be clear on what you’re doing.
      They have been selling for crazy prices
      It’s been raking in millions for Calliste
      “I was lucky it was very lucrative from the beginning. Some watches we sell can go from £250,000.
      “Having my footballing history has also helped.
      “I dealt with footballers in the beginning, selling them watches and I already had that trust there.
      “Even today, clients come online and they see it’s me and they feel comfortable buying from me.
      “There might be other companies that are stronger than mine, but because I played the game it does help the business.
      “We have a bespoke service where we go out to the clients, and it’s not just footballers.
      “We started with an office in Mayfair. Now, we’ve got a shop front in North London.
      “When you can take your inventory to a room of footballers, perhaps ten millionaires, that’s better for all concerned.
      “They prefer that service and it’s an easier chance to sell goods
      “I have a great relationship with the players and make sure they are looked after.”
      On a regular day, the former Hoops trialist revealed he sells the watches from around £50,000-£70,000.
      On the odd occasion though, he can receive around £150,000-£250,000 for a sale in a market where clients can make money from pieces that are collector’s items.
      He said: “They appreciate, watches have become commodities.
      “It’s nice for my clients to make money if they’ve bought a watch from me, if they want to sell the watch in the future.
      “I see myself as a consultant. I know watches inside out and try to advise them on what to buy.
      “So sometimes when my clients come to me with what they’ve want, I will tell them straight if it’s a good or bad idea.
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      “I don’t want any of my clients to lose lots of money, when they come to sell their timepiece.”

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      Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 4 – Ange Postecoglou’s men edge closer to Premiership title with first half thrashing

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      A WORLD CUP legend who liked a dive took his seat at Rugby Park.But it was Kilmarnock who went down far too easily yesterday.
      Kyogo opened the scoring for the HoopsCredit: Reuters
      South Korea National team manager Jurgen Klinsmann was in attendance at Rugby ParkCredit: Getty
      Jurgen Klinsmann looked on as the home side handed victory to the Premiership leaders inside 20 minutes.
      The ex-Germany and Spurs striker was there to run his eye over Hyeongyu Oh in his role as South Korea’s national boss.
      He had to wait till the start of the second half to watch the Hoops striker in action.
      But it had been game over long before that thanks to four of the most gift-wrapped goals you’ll ever see.

      Killie boss Derek McInnes had started with an attacking line-up, with Christian Doidge and the fit-again Kyle Vassell up front.
      Fraser Murray was handed a first league start since November 12 down the left flank.
      But it might be a while until the winger is seen again after the part he played in three of those opening goals.

      Matt O’Riley scored twice after Kyogo and Daizen Maeda had put the Hoops two ahead by the 12th minute.
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      They could even afford to have Kyogo hit the post from the penalty spot and Callum McGregor to uncharacteristically blunder for Killie’s consolation.
      It’s now 30 wins from 31 domestic games for the Hoops – and their restored 12-point lead leaves them on track to be crowned champions on Coronation Day on May 6.
      Brendan Rodgers’ Invincibles’ record return of 106 points remains beatable too.
      They coasted to victory despite the fact they missed Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota and Aaron Mooy started on the bench.
      Ange Postecoglou had claimed pre-match that was down to a combination of injury niggles and concerns about Kilmarnock’s artificial surface.
      But very quickly it was McInnes who had plenty to be worried about.
      He could have worked all week on shape and tactics.
      🗣️ “It is a lovely header!”Maeda has doubled Celtic’s lead early in the first half! Watch the game live on Sky 📺 pic.twitter.com/o51VAXLKKr— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 16, 2023

      But he was powerless in the seventh minute when Murray played a needless backpass from inside the Celtic half towards Joe Wright.
      It was hopelessly short and the last person he’d want to have seen in the vicinity was Kyogo.
      The Japanese frontman latched onto the loose ball but still had plenty to do.
      Wright’s decision to stand off him allowed him to pick his spot and drill past Sam Walker for his 29th of the season.
      McInnes simmered in the home dugout as Killie conceded in the meekest of fashions.
      But his anger wasn’t about to soothe as the Hoops scored twice more in the space of 11 minutes.
      Johnston got the better of Murray then dinked up a ball to the back post which Maeda nodded back in the direction it had come and past a helpless Walker.
      It was far too simple again from Killie, as it was for the third. Yuki Kobayashi fed Greg Taylor who had come inside off the left flank.

      Former Rugby Park star Taylor played a short pass to O’Riley inside the box and with the home defence again hesitant the midfielder coolly stroked home.
      Despite sitting second bottom Killie hadn’t lost any of their previous five home league games.
      Yet boos rang out after that third strike as the true extent of the potential damage if this continued started to sink in.
      Truth is it could have got a whole lot worse in the 21st minute when Christian Doidge tripped Taylor inside the box for a certain penalty.
      But Kyogo’s spotkick smashed off the left upright and Maeda could only poke the rebound past the post.
      It was only delaying the inevitable though, especially with the way Killie were repeatedly making a mess of clearing their lines.
      Danny Amrstrong’s header fell to Murray standing outside his box but his horror swipe skied the ball back towards his own goal.
      O’Riley was there again to control and finish to make it 4-0.

      McInnes had to try and stem the bleeding and made a double substitution.
      Unsurprisingly Murray was hooked, with Doidge also sacrificed for Alan Power and Jeriel Dorsett as Killie switched to a back five and one up front.
      But Power then gifted the ball to O’Riley who found Kyogo and his shot was beaten away by Walker.
      The selfless Kyogo then appeared in his OWN box after tracking Kyle Vassell’s run forwards then playing the ball back to Joe Hart.
      Armstrong’s fifth minute nutmeg past Carl Starfelt then driven shot at Hart must have felt a long time ago for the home side.
      But on the stroke of half-time it was Celtic who handed a goal to Killie.
      An even bigger surprise was the fact McGregor was the culprit.
      When the skipper delayed on the ball inside his box Liam Donnelly pounced and saw his shot saved by Hart’s legs.
      But the Hoops couldn’t properly clear the danger and eventually it was Donnelly who stroked into the net.
      🔵 Kilmarnock have one back!Donnelly gives Kilmarnock hope right before half time. More goals in the second half? 🔽 pic.twitter.com/s4gWOIYaMt— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 16, 2023

      Incredibly it was the first time Killie had scored against Celtic since Chris Burke netted back in August 2020.
      But it didn’t stop more groans coming from the stands as ref David Dickinson blew for the break.
      Klinsmann’s trip to watch Oh ahead of January’s Asia Cup was made worthwhile when he was sent on for Kyogo as the teams resumed for the second half.
      His main action of note was a booking for a late challenge and sweeping a shot wide of goal after a brilliant cross from Rocco Vata.
      There was no doubt the Hoopos let their tempo drop and a reorganised Killie nearly took advantage.
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      Hart brilliantly blocked Luke Chambers’ header then Vassell went close with two late efforts.

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      Vincent Kompany wants former Liverpool star to be his first signing after sealing Premier League promotion with Burnley

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      BURNLEY will check on Rangers contract rebel Ryan Kent before his contract runs out.The former Liverpool kid looks set to head back to English football in the summer and Vincent Kompany’s men are taking an interest.
      Ryan Kent is wanted by BurnleyCredit: Willie Vass
      Vincent Kompany wants to add fresh faces after being promoted from the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      Kent, 26, would have to fight for a place in the Clarets side in the Premier League as Kompany already has Moroccan magician Anass Zaroury in that position.
      But Kent is a top free agent and the chance to play at the top level would appeal to him after missing out on a move to Leeds a couple of times.
      Winger Kent has appeared 29 times in the Scottish Premiership this season.
      He has contributed 10 assists and added three goals to his tally.
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      Kent was also a crucial part of Steven Gerrard’s Gers side which won the league in 2021, contributing to 17 goals in 33 games that campaign.
      The Englishman came through Liverpool’s youth ranks but made just one appearances in the senior team after five loan moves.
      He eventually sealed a permanent transfer up to the Ibrox Stadium in 2019.
      However, despite Burnley’s interest, Rangers fans believe Nottingham Forest could be his next destination instead.
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      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
      This is due to the departure of Sporting Director Ross Wilson, who joined the Prem relegation battlers after four years in Glasgow.
      It has also led them to believe fellow free agent Alfredo Morelos will follow suit and head to the City Ground. More

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      Rangers Women’s coach Craig McPherson discovers Celtic Fran Alonso ‘headbutt’ ban fate after SFA hearing

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      RANGERS Women’s coach Craig McPherson has learned his SFA fate in the wake of his clash with Celtic Women’s head coach Fran Alonso.The compliance officer called the former Morton and Falkirk star to account after he was spotted on the TV cameras aiming a headbutt at the back of Alonso’s head.
      Craig McPherson
      Craig McPherson was caught on camera headbutting Fran Alonso
      The incident was caught on the cameras
      Police have also have an investigation ongoing into the incident – which came at the end of a fiery Old Firm derby in the SWPL which ended in a 1-1 draw.
      But McPherson faced a hearing in front of an SFA panel today where he admitted the charge and was handed an immediate SIX-match ban in all competitions.
      The SFA charge under disciplinary rule 77 reads: “A recognised football body, club, official, Team Official, other member of Team Staff, player, match official or other person under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall, at all times, act in the best interests of Association Football.
      “Furthermore such person or body shall not act in any manner which is improper or use any one, or a combination of, violent Conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”

      Brogan Hay had put the Light Blues in front in the first half, capitalising on a mistake inside the box from Kelly Clark in the 36th minute to tap home.
      It looked as though Rangers were heading for the crucial win but Celtic star Caitlyn Hayes scored a dramatic equaliser in the NINTH minute of stoppage time to level the scoring and to secure a point for the Hoops – which handed both sides’ Glasgow rivals Glasgow City a huge boost in the title race.
      McPherson previously issued a statement to say that he had apologised personally to Alonso over the affair and was embarrassed by his conduct.
      McPherson said: “I know I have severely let myself, our team and the club down.
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      “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 apologised to the board, the football staff, and our fantastic group of players who I care about dearly.
      “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.
      “I also understand how exciting a time it is for the women’s game in Scotland, which I have come to care passionately about, and I apologise for any negativity my actions have brought in our attempts to grow the game.
      “Finally, I am also very grateful to Fran Alonso for accepting my apology in full following our lengthy conversation earlier in the week.”
      Alonso claimed after the match that he was getting called a “little rat” during the explosive end to the derby.
      Addressing the incident on Sky Sports after the match, he said: “As you can see from there [the pictures], someone came in from behind.”
      “I never talked to him the whole game. It’s always disappointing to concede a goal in the last minute.
      “I totally get it. I was called a little rat, I don’t know why.”
      Cops confirmed: “We have received a report regarding an incident at Broadwood Stadium on the evening of Monday, 27 March, 2023.
      “Enquiries to establish any criminality are at an early stage.”
      Celtic issued a statement on the affair, saying: “Clearly this is a hugely concerning incident, falling well below any acceptable standard.
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      “We understand the matter is now being investigated and it will be up to all relevant authorities to take any appropriate action.”
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