CONTROVERSY was at the centre of Celtic’s visit to Hearts on Sunday as the Hoops tried to gain ground on the league leaders.
A major flashpoint was Auston Trusty‘s red card – but there was also a dugout bust-up that saw Derek McInnes end up in the CELTIC technical area.
Celtic lodged an appeal against the red card decision, which was upgraded to a red card after whistler Steven McLean’s initial yellow card call.
That appeal was BOOTED OUT by an SFA panel, much to the Hoops’ annoyance.
But amongst all the talk around the dismissal of the American centre-back, that other heated moment has been thrust out of the limelight.
Celtic broke the deadlock early in the first half, with a stunning free kick goal from Benjamin Nygren.
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It was Celtic’s first goal direct from a free kick since 2021, and the reaction from one of Celtic’s coaches left Hearts‘ boss Derek McInnes less than pleased.
Cameras picked up the Jambos’ boss marching towards the Hoops dugout as players and staff alike celebrated the opener.
After the match, talking to Sky Sports, McInnes shed some light on the incident, explaining: “One of their inexperienced coaches, I didn’t like his reaction to scoring the goal.
“Nothing to do with Shaun or Martin, just a poor reaction.”
He didn’t name and names, but ruled out the Celts main men in O’Neill and Maloney.
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But speaking before Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash with Utrecht, where a win will see Celtic enter the play-offs, O’Neill addressed the situation.
The 73-year-old revealed that Mark Fotheringham was the coach at the centre of the drama.
And McInnes’ reference to Fotheringham – a former manager in his own right – as an “inexperienced coach” appears to have irritated the Celts boss.
Wading into the row, O’Neill said: “He was obviously being rather cynical, Derek.
“But Derek will say exactly the same as I am now, that Hearts got a good decision.
“I think we were more concerned about pointing to one of our inexperienced coaches, which happened to be young Fotheringham.
“Mark is not inexperienced.
“Mark’s record as a manager and assistant manager, in Germany, is extraordinary.
“He and Felix Magath. They saved a club from relegation.”
The touchline antics will be no doubt low down the list of priorities for O’Neill, however, with that huge clash against Utrecht looming – as well as the end of the transfer window.
Celtic have only brought in two players, both on loan deals, in Julian Araujo from Bournemouth and Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Monchengladbach.
O’Neill has been frank that he needs more players in before the February 2nd deadline, and is seemingly confident that’ll happen.
He said: “Who is to say we might not spend money?
“There IS a willingness.
“I think we’ll get some in.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
