Celtic-daft Aaron Donnelly refused to celebrate against his boyhood team – but didn’t give Rangers the same courtesy as he went tonto after winning a goal-kick.
The 21-year-old, on record as being a Hoops diehard, caught the eye in Dundee‘s 3-3 draw with the champions when he scored on 78 minutes to put Tony Docherty’s team in front, but opted for a muted celebration as his overjoyed teammates mobbed him. It was only his second appearance since returning to Dens permanently earlier this month – the other coming against Rangers just five days earlier.
Donnelly started that one too and played a key role in keeping Philippe Clement‘s team quiet on their way to a 1-1 draw. TV cameras captured a moment late in the match where Donnelly puts a foot in to win a goal-kick off Oscar Cortes, before going celebrating wildly in front of the Rangers support. Fans have since spotted the contrast from Donnelly, who has never hidden his love for the men in green and white.
Speaking back in February 2024, before the Hoops trounced the Dens Park side 7-1 at Parkhead, Donnelly, who was then on loan from Nottingham Forest, said: “I am really looking forward to the game, especially as I am a Celtic fan! A lot of my family and friends are coming over from Ireland for the game. I think eight of my mates and a few of my aunties, uncles and cousins will be there as well.
“It will be a big occasion for me and I am really looking forward to it but I will try to put that to the back of my mind and just concentrate on the game. It will be good to see everyone afterwards and hopefully it will be good for them to watch me playing on such a big occasion.”