Alloa put down some heavy challenges when Celtic came to town - but Rutherglen’s Alan Trouten says they were tackles that had to be made.
The Wasps - who play in League One - went down 2-1 to the Hoops in Scottish Cup fourth round action after goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis and Liel Abada. Conor Sammon pulled one back for Barry Ferguson’s side but it was too late.
Adam King’s tackle on Celtic captain Callum McGregor has left the Scotland star with a long-term facial injury and Mouhamed Niang’s tackle on Yosuke Ideguchi also led to calls for a red card.
Trouten came off the bench in the match and insisted on their ‘hammer-throwers’ tag: “That wasn’t me! It wasn’t me putting in some of those horrendous tackles, I would be calling us the same! No, listen, we need to try and get close to players like that.
“There were a few tackles that ended up being a bit late but we were playing against international players who are fitter, sharper and stronger. We need to try and get there.
"The odd time you will be late. I think the one with Callum McGregor, that was a fair challenge. Obviously he’s come off a lot worse than our Adam King, who has been fine.
“But it’s part of the game. It’s another defeat for us but we are looking to go into every game looking to win. Nobody expected us to win this one but we go out and try to get it.
"It became a bit close towards the end and I know Celtic had a good few chances. But we kept ourselves in it.
"They then panicked after we scored and we put them under pressure for the last 15 minutes. We are out though so it’s disappointing.”
The 36-year-old savoured his substitute appearance after a season hit by injury. He admits the fitness knocks have left him helpless in helping Alloa resurrect their stuttering League One season.
Trouten has featured in just five league games. He explained: “It was great to be involved in the game as this season I have had a lot of niggling injuries. It’s been one thing after another.
“This season has been a disaster from a personal point of view. I just want to help the boys. I feel embarrassed with the amount of injuries I have had this season.
“I am trying my best to stay fit. I’ve just not had that luck to stay fit and put a run of games together. I think I showed against Celtic I can play.”
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