Celtic defender calls for respect after teammate hit by coin during Old Firm derby
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Arne Engels was struck near the end of a 3-0 Rangers win at Ibrox. Alistair Johnston urged caution and respect after Celtic teammate Arne Engels was struck by a coin near the end of the 3-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox. There were no Hoops fans inside the stadium due to a dispute about away ticket allocations and the Parkhead substitute fell to the ground as he went to take a corner and had to have treatment before resuming.
![[Referee Don Robertson removed the item from the pitch]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/02/21/newFile-2.jpg)
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed after the match, which left his side 11 points clear of their Old Firm rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership, that Engels had been hit by a coin and the incident could land the Govan club in trouble with the authorities.
Canada defender Johnston said: “I saw that he (Engels) got hit just above the eye, and it’s an unfortunate situation. “We’re just lucky that it didn’t hit him right in the eye. No other comment right now. “I’ve played in some other places in Central America where they throw more than coins at you. You feel pretty safe here.
“Ideally you don’t want anything thrown on the pitch. The words and chants, you get through that, but you just hope everyone respects the players on the pitch no matter who they play for. “I wasn’t aware (of anything else being thrown) but it’s something that unfortunately happens.
