Former Celtic manager Ronny Deila has defended himself for sparking a dugout melee after admitting he feared Scotland international Gary Mackay-Steven had suffered a serious injury.
The incident was triggered when San Carlos defender Pablo Arboine cynically lunged into the former Aberdeen and Dundee United winger during New York’s 1-0 CONCACAF Champions League’s victory on Wednesday.
Tempers flare between NYCFC and San Carlos in @TheChampions after THIS studs-up tackle on Mackay-Steven ??
NY coach Ronny Deila sees a yellow for his involvement. pic.twitter.com/rYZ0O6Wxsu
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 27, 2020
Delia, who picked up a booking, then shoved Arboine, prompting a flare up with the opposing bench and both sets of players.
Mackay-Steven finished the game and Delia admits he allowed his emotions to get the better of him.
He said: “I overreacted a little bit but I reacted because of the tackle 0 it was three, four seconds too late.
“It was instinctive that I wanted to protect my player because I get scared he would get injured but I calmed down quite quick.”
