Matt O'Riley injury latest as Brighton boss hits out over horror tackle on Celtic hero

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has hit out at the horror tackle that injured Matt O'Riley minutes into his debut.

The midfielder only signed from Celtic in a record-breaking transfer on Monday and was thrust straight into his debut in a Carabao Cup match against Crawley last night. However, it turned into a nightmare when he was injured just minutes into the match.

It was a hefty challenge from Crawley defender Jay Williams that caused it and it came as O'Riley looked to get on the ball and launch a counter attack. The 23-year-old was left in a crumpled heap on the deck before being helped off the pitch by medics.

Brighton boss Hurzeler was left raging by the tackle and said: "It doesn’t look good, to be honest. I think it was a really tough game. I was not happy with the performance. We can play better but you have to win tough, dirty games. It was a tough challenge.

"Ridiculous foul. It has nothing to do with football. This situation, it changed the game as afterwards it was emotional. I hope it is not so bad. I think it is easy to apologise, in the end we can't fix the player.

"It's tough to deal with it but it's part of football. It shouldn't be, fouls like this. This is not the way we should behave on the pitch.

"I talked to [O’Riley] when he went off the pitch, he couldn't get any weight on his ankle, so let's see. We have to scan it. I think players know their body best so his reaction was not good.”

Crawley gaffer Scott Lindsey was full of apologies after and said: "Maybe we were a bit aggressive, maybe the referee missed it [the challenge] and I would like to apologise.

"I wouldn't want anyone to be hurt. We are both passionate about the game and we wish Brighton all the best in the next round."