Tony Docherty has disclosed that Aaron Donnelly faced a fine and plenty of teasing from his teammates following his subdued goal celebration against Celtic. The Dundee defender netted a spectacular Tuesday night goal at Dens Park to put his team ahead 3-2 in an encounter with his childhood favourites, which finished in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
While the home supporters erupted in jubilation, the 21-year-old's reaction was more reserved—hand raised but without the same exuberance—which instigated criticism from some pundits, although Donnelly conceded he'd simply forgotten how to celebrate after a two-year dry spell, reports the Daily Record.
Despite the controversy, Docherty assured that the mood in the camp remains positive, with the Dundee boss remarking: "No, honestly, if anything, he's been absolutely battered by his teammates and fined by his teammates! Simon Murray couldn't wait to get in and give him a bit.
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"When I watch it back as well I do think there is an element of him not knowing what to do when he scores his first goal. But the boys are hammering him, which is great.
"There's nothing in it, absolutely nothing in it. You couldn't look at it in a negative way or anything like that. He's a young kid, he's come on and what a baptism.
"He's come up and in his first two games he plays really well in a 1-1 against Rangers and then plays really well and scores what we thought was going to be the winner against Celtic. But he's getting a ribbing from his mates, and quite rightly so."
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