“An inch lower, he’d have been hit right in the eye,” Brendan Rodgers

The Celtic Star

·3 January 2025

“An inch lower, he’d have been hit right in the eye,” Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers gave his reaction after Arne Engels was struck by a coin at Ibrox yesterday afternoon…

Celtic were well beaten on the pitch 3-0 by their bitter rivals, but the match was marred with discussion around off the field matters with safety yet again being a central issue at Ibrox after Arne Engels was hit by a coin in the 86th minute of the game.

Match Referee, Don Robertson removes an object from the pitch after it was thrown towards and hit Arne Engels of Celtic during the SPL Premier League match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on January 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Preparing to take a corner, the 21 year-old Belgian midfielder was shamefully struck by a coin forcing him to hit the ground. Referee Don Robertson then passed the coin over to Fourth Official Matthew MacDermid, who then passed it onto the Police Match Commander as potential evidence.

“Not great for the game”

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers described the incident as “not great for the game”.

Thankfully, the Irishman revealed that Engels has not suffered any serious injuries as a result of the incident. “Yes, thankfully, [if]it was an inch lower, he’d have been hit right in the eye. But yes, I think he’s ok. It’s not obviously great for the game, but yes, he’s ok,” Rodgers said.

Arne Engels hit by coins at Ibrox

It is also believed that the Celtic dugout was targeted with objects during the third Glasgow Derby meeting between the two clubs this season. It is understood Police Scotland are investigating two separate incidents of coin throwing during theRangers 3-0 victory over Celtic.

Celtic physio Daniel Friel scarred for life

Far too often we have seen incidents of this type at Ibrox in recent years. Whether it be the Joe Hart glass situation in 2022, or Celtic physio Daniel Friel being scarred for life in the same game, it is sadly no surprise to see these thuggish actions.

Match commander gathers evidence against theRangers thugs

Last weekend Aberdeen fans threw missiles at Jim Goodwin at Tannadice which included glass bottles, coins and fire lighters. Yet despite players and managers being quite clearly unsafe at their work, the SPFL continue to do absolutely nothing in regard to these shocking actions.