Celtic will accept Ian Wright's caution from the game against Kilmarnock on Sunday. But director of football operations, Kenny Dalglish, last night remained noncommittal about the incident which saw the striker charged with violent conduct.
Wright was involved in a fracas with fourth official Willie Young in the players' tunnel after the game and could face disciplinary action from the Scottish Football Association after being reported by referee Kenny Clark.
However the club were keeping tight-lipped about any possible action against the former Arsenal forward.
"Regarding the caution Ian Wright has received following an incident at Rugby Park on Sunday January 23rd, on the field of play, the club respects and accepts the caution allocated," Dalglish said in a statement.
"Regarding the further disciplinary issue, the matter will be responded to within the mandatory seven days stating the club's position, then the matter will be in the hands of the SFA disciplinary committee - this correspondence will be confidential."
In the Premiership, Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli believes most English footballers are put under too little pressure to perform. Players would respond to stronger public criticism of poor performances by attempting to prove the critics wrong, according to Vialli, just as Alan Shearer has done for both Newcastle and England this season.
Indeed the Italian believes that Shearer is only one of a handful of English players who are regularly put under that sort of spotlight on the pitch, along with the likes of David Beckham and Michael Owen.
And he compared the domestic situation with that in Italy, where all players at leading clubs find their displays scrutinised in the minutest detail and failure is simply not tolerated.
Stan Collymore, who was vilified throughout football after beating up then girlfriend Ulrika Jonsson in a bar and later walked out on Aston Villa claiming he was depressed, yesterday claimed the lowest point of his career was when Liverpool fans booed him.
Galway United manager Don O'Riordan yesterday signed a two year-extension to his contract at Terryland Park where the Dubliner now expects to be in charge until the summeer of 2002.
O'Riordan, who has been the subject of repeated speculation in recent months, had been linked with moves to St Patrick's Athletic or back to England but made it clear last week that he was anxious to stay on if the basis for a new deal could be ironed out.
Yesterday he said that he was happy with the terms agreed now and added that "I'm really looking forward to the next two years, we have some great talent and big plans for the future."
O'Riordan went on to talk about the prospect of adding to his panel during the summer but later in the day the club confirmed that they had already made one signing with Fergal Coleman returning to the west after a spell at United Park.
Meanwhile, Shelbourne are in talks with former Bolton and Oldham striker John McGinlay. The 35-year-old, who has 13 Scottish caps, is currently a free agent.
