Fulham FC

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Healy agent defends striker

21 Jul 2008 - 09:27:55

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Fulham striker David Healy could be in hot water after he mimicked an Orange marcher during his side's friendly against Celtic on Saturday.

The Northern Ireland striker made the gesture to travelling fans while warming up prior to his second-half arrival off the bench in the 3-1 win over the Scottish champions at Craven Cottage.

The incident revived memories of Paul Gascoigne's infamous gestures to Celtic fans which earned the then Rangers player a fine.

However, Healy's agent has attempted to play down the gesture after claiming he was indulging in harmless banter with the Celtic supporters.

"David has told me he was wearing boots with a Northern Ireland flag on the back," agent Stephen Hughes told the Daily Mail.

"They had been made for him to celebrate being the leading scorer in the Euro 2008 qualification matches.

"The Celtic fans saw that and know he's a Rangers fan. They were chanting, 'Where were you on the 12th', which is the day of the Orange marching bands in Belfast.

"So he simply pretended to play the flute. There was no attempt to inflame the fans.

"Afterwards, some of the fans who had been giving him stick sent over programmes for him to sign which he did quite willingly."