Rangers boss Michael Beale brands women's coach Craig McPherson's headbutt 'out of character'

Rangers manager Michael Beale has reacted to women’s team coach Craig McPherson being cited for an apparent headbutt on Celtic’s Fran Alonso, saying it was “out of character” from his colleague.

McPherson raced to Alonso at full time after the SWFL match between Rangers and Celtic on Monday night, with television cameras catching an apparent headbutt on the manager as he greeted his players.

Police Scotland opened an investigation into the incident and the Scottish FA have charged the coach with misconduct, calling him to a disciplinary hearing.

Beale said he hadn’t viewed the flashpoint but didn’t believe the behaviour was normal for the person he knows.

“I didn’t see it live and I know that the SFA and Rangers have an ongoing discussion around that,” Beale said.

“All I would say on Craig is that it’s out of character for him. For anyone in Scotland that knows his career and him as a man it’s out of character.

“The SFA, the club and Craig are away having discussions.

“I’ve not seen it since. I personally haven’t spoken to him on it.

“I think that’s away with the SFA, they’ve cited him and it would be unfair to comment more on that because I haven’t spoken to him in person about it.”

McPherson will learn his fate at an SFA disciplinary hearing on April 13.