NHS Tayside chiefs have suspended a Dundee porter amid allegations of a confrontation with Dundee FC player James McPake.
Raymond Conway was sent home from work on Saturday as a probe begins into an altercation with the Dark Blues captain at Ninewells last week.
It is understood the argument related to a comment Mr Conway who says he is a Celtic fan made about the derby-day tackle that left Mr McPake with a serious knee injury.
McPake was hurt early in the first half of Dundee’s 2-1 win when making a challenge on Dundee United’s John Rankin. He received lengthy treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off and rushed to hospital.
Mr Conway said he had not even seen the derby game but was just making “light-hearted banter” with the Dundee defender, suggesting he should have been sent off for the tackle.
He said he spoke to Mr McPake before the operation and added: “It was just an off-the-cuff remark about the challenge. I said ‘I heard it was a bad challenge’.
“I asked him about his knee and how he was and he blanked me.I told him I didn’t mean anything by it. I really hope he’s all right.”
Mr Conway said he had been moving Mr McPake to the ward after the operation when a confrontation occurred.
The porter said he had intended to report the incident to his managers today. However, when he turned up for a shift on Saturday he was told he had been suspended while an investigation is carried out.
He said: “I’ve been there 13 years. I can’t believe it’s gone this far.”
Mr Conway said he will have his say when he is asked to give evidence for the investigation.
An NHS Tayside spokesman said: “We do not comment on matters relating to individual members of staff.”
A spokesman for Dundee FC said the club would not be making any comment “at this stage”.
Mr McPake said he was “aware of the incident” but did not want to comment.