Motherwell star branded 'disrespectful' over Rangers non-goal celebration as 'apologetic' gesture slammed

Andy Halliday’s muted celebration after his Premier Sports Cup semi-final opener for Motherwell against boyhood club Rangers has been debated by two BBC pundits.

The former Gers midfielder gave the Steelmen a shock first-half lead at Hampden on Sunday by turning home Steve Seddon's pinpoint cross at the back post. That sparked wild celebrations from the 8,000 Well fans situated in the south east corner of the national stadium, but Halliday kept his cool and instead offered a peace gesture to the Ibrox faithful behind Jack Butland’s goal.

The 33-year-old spent five years at Ibrox between 2015 and 2020 and has never hidden his love for the Govan giants, having grown up just around the corner from the stadium. But his decision not to savour the moment with his Fir Park team mates in front of the Union Bears left BBC Sportsound host Richard Gordon irritated.

Discussing Halliday’s gesture with former Gers striker Billy Dodds during Sunday’s live radio broadcast, Gordon said: “This whole thought of not celebrating... maybe he was ecstatic inside and probably the Motherwell fans won't give a jot if that turns out to be the winning goal.

“But isn't that a bit disrespectful to the club? The team who pays your wages? The supporters who back you every week? Essentially, what he did was an 'I'm sorry' gesture. It just feels bizarre, you've scored such a good goal in the semi-final and your almost apologetic about it.”

Dodds agreed that Halliday could've dealt with the situation differently but refused to criticise him, adding: “People are different. He's burst a gut to get there and score so he's showing them that he's with them. Yeah, he could maybe have run away towards the Motherwell fans. Put it this way, it would keep everyone happy. I would have been wheeling away to be fair.”

BBC pundit Steven Thompson felt Halliday should have made a bigger deal of his vital goal after displaying real bravery to throw himself at Seddon’s inch-perfect delivery. He said: “His desire and run to get into the box is absolutely sensational. The cross itself is magnificent and he does so well to get anything on that. I didn't like his non-celebration though, he just scored in a semi-final.”