Celtic hero and Fleetwood Town manager Scott Brown looked to Shaun Rooney to score a 99th minute leveller as former Rangers man Joey Barton was again denied a win against the ex-Hoops captain.
The Bristol Rovers boss claimed he was a far superior player than his English League One counterpart but Brown won another treble at Parkhead as Barton headed back to Burnley after a short-lived Light Blues stint in 2016. His current club looked to have been heading for victory, leading 2-1 in the closing stages before former Premiership referee Bobby Madden handed him a red card.
St Johnstone hero Rooney then netted late in the day to ensure a 2-2 draw for the Cod Army in dramatic circumstances. Rovers coach Andy Mangan was left bemused by Barton's dismissal, telling Bristol Live: "I don’t know, I don’t think there was anything untoward. I was pretty close towards him and I think the referee has got a bit heated."
READ MORE: Ally McCoist touched by Celtic gesture as Rangers icon reveals he has cherished signed Hoops shirt
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For Celtic legend Brown - who left Parkhead in 2021 and is now in his first job as a manger - says his players showed great spirit to earn a point.
He added: "The lads work hard for us and they have been fantastic. The league is hard. There are lots of games and it’s relentless.
“I am delighted for the fans as they were brilliant today. They've travelled a long way to support us and it’s just great that they can now get on the bus home and have something to cheer about."
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