JAMES TAVERNIER was forced to APOLOGISE to Sky Sports viewers after Rangers’ excitement boiled over at full-time.
The Celtic Park visitors won a thriller 3-2 after racing into a 2-0 lead at half-time before Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate levelled.
The Belgian midfielder nodded Rangers into the lead in the opening four minutes[/caption]
It sparked a thrilling 3-2 win for Barry Ferguson’s visitors[/caption]
But sub Hamza Igamane smashed a stunner into the top corner to send the small pocket of returning Rangers fans wild in the re-opened Old Firm away area.
It sparked wild celebrations on the park, in the stands and on the touchline as Rangers stars sprinted from the dugout to join in the party.
And the feelgood factor only surged at full-time, leading to Tavernier’s apology.
The visiting captain was in the post-match interview area with team-mate Nico Raskin and journalist Luke Shanley.
Cameras were on and celebrating Rangers stars could be heard whooping and cheering in delight – and the Ibrox celebration song by the Sunset Brothers was soon blaring from the away dressing room.
But before he could hand over the man of the match award to the Belgian – who scored the opener in a 3-2 win at Parkhead – and discuss the match Tavernier had to step in and say sorry.
Cameras caught a Gers player off-camera congratulating man of the match Raskin on his performance – and the Light Blue turned the air blue with his praise.
The unseen player could be heard yelling: “Raskin what a match, f****** hell, let’s go!”
And a sheepish Tavernier was quick to correct the record and say sorry.
He said: “We’re obviously happy to get the result – I apologise for that language.
“But we had a really good first half and then we maybe sat off too much in the second half and that brought them into the game.
“But we showed character throughout the match and Hamza came up with the winner so we’re delighted to get the three points here and it’s been a good week for the club.”
The reaction to Rangers’ first win at Parkhead since October 2020 – and their first infront of an away support since 2019 – brought jubilant scenes.
And Celtic fans near the visitors’ dugout were spotted in furious scenes in the aftermath of Igamane’s goal – with Vaclav Cerny caught on camera spraying water in excitement as he ran down the touchline.
Nedim Bajrami was also seen doing likewise and angry supporters punched the dugout in response.
Interim boss Ferguson was asked about the fracas at full-time and he said: “I was just concentrating on celebrating, I didn’t see the incident to be honest.”
Rangers could also run the risk of SFA actiona fter Mohammed Diomande’s celebration to Gers’ second strike.
He mimicked Ryan Kent’s celebration from 2019 – which brought a fine from Hampden HQ.
Then compliance officer Clare Whyte cited the celebration as part of an overall conduct charge against Gers which resulted in a total punishment of £15,000.
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