Sky Sports. ‘Embarrassing’ – Andy Halliday on why he would repeat Rangers non-celebration but the part he regrets.

A lot has been said about Andy Halliday’s refusal to celebrate after scoring against Rangers over the weekend.

It is a common occurrence in football across the world, as many players try to show their previous employers some respect after scoring against them.

Halliday scored Motherwell’s first goal at Hampden on Sunday, converting Steve Seddon’s cross while Jeffte sprinted in the opposite direction.

Despite his lengthy relationship with Ibrox as a fan and player, his quiet celebration elicited a strong response.

Halliday responds to Rangers non-celebration uproar.

Fans from several teams took to social media to criticise the midfielder for how he decided to celebrate, or not.

Some accused him of disrespecting Motherwell.

It wasn’t just supporters; BBC analyst and ex-Gers striker Steven Thompson said he “didn’t like” the decision not to celebrate after scoring in a semi-final.

Halliday has now spoken out, condemning the “embarrassing” attitude.

Speaking on Clyde One Superscoreboard, he said: “Nothing should surprise me in the west of Scotland, especially when it happens across the world of football.”

“But it just so happens that it surprises me again at the weekend, since the last thing I was doing was definitely disrespecting Motherwell.

“I’ve heard that comment being branded about over the last couple of days which to me is embarrassing.”I’ll hold my tongue before I start digging people out.”

Halliday would do the same thing against Rangers and Hearts.

The 32-year-old said he would do the same thing again if he scored against Rangers, or even his other former club Hearts.

He did confess that there is one aspect of the gesture he may regret.

Halliday said, “Maybe [regret] the tiny hands up – because that type of gesture is sorry, but I wasn’t apologising initially for scoring a goal.

“If we play Rangers or Hearts next week and I score, I won’t celebrate.”

“I will never do anything to placate others, for sure. So I do not regret it.

“When Louis Moult scored against Motherwell – his old club – for Dundee United, he didn’t celebrate.”

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