Moritz Bauer: Jordan Jones showed class apologising for horror tackle | OneFootball

Moritz Bauer certainly had a Celtic debut to remember after the on-loan Stoke City defender was the victim of a horror challenge from Rangers’ Jordan Jones, which earned him a straight red.

While Bauer escaped injury, Jones did not, suffering knee damage that could keep him on the sidelines for up to a month.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Rangers winger called to apologise for the incident – something which surprised the Austrian international.

“I’m sorry for him because, whoever you play for, no-one wants to see an opponent injured. I was lucky because I wasn’t injured but I don’t think about ‘what if?’ because that doesn’t get you anywhere – it’s a waste of energy.

“I think it showed character on Jordan’s behalf that he took the trouble to call me and say he was sorry. As bad as his tackle was, it was good that he made the effort to do that. I’m pleased with that reaction.

“I’ve played in other derbies and I know how emotional things can get. This was a great fixture and everyone could see there was so much tension involved during the build-up and these kind of things happen – when you’re losing 2-0 at home it can be frustrating.

“I don’t think that tackle would have happened in the first minute. He had also come on as a substitute and sometimes you’re not really into the rhythm of the game. We’re all good and we can move forward.

“I’ve made bad tackles during my career, although I’ve never been sent off… and I was surprised when I saw the red card for Jordan because it hadn’t hurt that much at the time.

“You don’t plan on making bad tackles. They happen because of your momentum… or because you are tired and your timing is off… or because you are frustrated.

“And just being one second late can make it look ugly. But I don’t believe there are too many red-card tackles where players deliberately go in to hurt the other guy.”

The next Old Firm derby will take place at Celtic Park on 29 December.