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Celtic Manager Critiques Rangers Winger’s Celebratory Actions

Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, expressed concerns over the behavior of Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny during the recent Old Firm derby, describing his post-match celebrations as showing a “lack of respect.” Following the dramatic late goal scored by Hamza Igamane, Cerny, who had been substituted shortly before, directed a drinks bottle towards the home supporters while running along the touchline.

Rodgers acknowledged the intensity of emotions during such significant matches, stating, “I understand the jubilation and Rangers players have every right to celebrate with their supporters.” He emphasized the importance of respecting the boundaries that come with these fierce rivalries, adding, “When you come to Celtic Park, like when we visit Ibrox, a victory in a match of this nature is worth celebrating, but not in that manner.”

The matter sparked varied reactions within the football community. Barry Ferguson, Rangers’ interim manager, noted that Cerny might have gotten a “wee bit over-excited” during his celebration and mentioned that he personally had no objections to the enthusiasm displayed. However, Rodgers took a firmer stance on the issue, insisting that such actions could not be tolerated. He remarked, “It’s respect, isn’t it? I think it’s a lack of respect if somehow a player runs up a touchline and squirts a water bottle in a supporter’s face. I certainly wouldn’t want my players to do it.”

Rodgers highlighted the reciprocal nature of respect in football, where both players and fans can impact each other’s experience during matches. “A lot comes into players as well, from the stands to coaches, managers, and players,” he noted. He acknowledged the emotional stakes of the Old Firm derby, remarking, “It is a very emotive game, an amazing fixture, and having the away fans back added an extra dimension.” However, he cautioned against crossing lines that could exacerbate tensions, especially given the historical context of this specific rivalry. “In this fixture in particular, that can lead to an issue,” he concluded.

Source
www.bbc.com