Hearts dugout row rumbles on

The fall-out from Sunday's fractious meeting between Hearts and Celtic at Tynecastle continued yesterday.

The Edinburgh club's assistant manager John McGlynn accused Celtic's management team of provoking him into the heated exchange in which McGlynn and the Celtic manager Gordon Strachan were sent to the stand by referee Stuart Dougal towards the end of the first half.

Both men are now likely to be banned from the touchline for two games from Aug 19 but McGlynn blames the visitors' provocative behaviour for the spat.

"It was a build-up of a few things that happened and I just couldn't take any more and exploded," he said.

"I'd rather it hadn't happened but if they'd take more concern over what's happening on the pitch rather than what's happening with officials and in their opponents' dugouts, then they might be better off."

McGlynn apologised to Hearts officials following the match, which Celtic lost 2-1.

Rangers manager Paul Le Guen, who visited Parkhead for the recent challenge match against Manchester United, was spat on by Celtic supporters as he left Tynecastle, but the club refused to respond yesterday when asked whether they would apologise to the Frenchman.

Instead, Celtic subsequently posted an article on their official website praising the behaviour of their fans at Sunday's game. Chairman Brian Quinn had last week urged them to refrain from offensive songs and chants.

A section of their support voiced pro-IRA sentiments on several occasions but a Celtic spokesperson said: "The [Lothian & Borders] police have praised the behaviour of Celtic supporters at yesterday's match at Tynecastle.

"However, Celtic is by no means complacent with regards to this issue and we will continue to work with police and the footballing authorities to ensure that it deals with the small minority of people who may choose to indulge in unwelcome songs and chants at away grounds."

Adam Virgo, Strachan's £1.5 million signing from Brighton 13 months ago, has gone to Coventry City on a season-long loan after starting just three SPL matches for Celtic. Strachan said: "There might be another one or two moving out on loan or [simply] moving out. If there's interest from elsewhere in some of our players, we'll be open-minded."

Gimnastic de Tarragone, promoted to La Liga for the first time since 1950, claim to have signed Rangers defender Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk