Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SportInternational FootballWATCH: Former Celtic boss sparks touchline melee over Gary Mackay-Steven tackle

WATCH: Former Celtic boss sparks touchline melee over Gary Mackay-Steven tackle

Former Celtic manager Ronny Deila has defended himself for sparking a dugout melee after admitting he feared Scotland international Gary Mackay-Steven had suffered a serious injury.

The incident was triggered when San Carlos defender Pablo Arboine cynically lunged into the former Aberdeen and Dundee United winger during New York’s 1-0 CONCACAF Champions League’s victory on Wednesday.

Delia, who picked up a booking, then shoved Arboine, prompting a flare up with the opposing bench and both sets of players.

Mackay-Steven finished the game and Delia admits he allowed his emotions to get the better of him.

He said: “I overreacted a little bit but I reacted because of the tackle 0 it was three, four seconds too late. 

“It was instinctive that I wanted to protect my player because I get scared he would get injured but I calmed down quite quick.” 

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