CELTIC fans were left enraged last night when Partick Thistle defender Gary Fraser blasted the ball into the home crowd during his side’s 2-0 defeat at Parkhead.

The incident sparked a furious backlash from Hoops supporters but Thistle manager Alan Archibald defended his player after the game, insisting there was no malice in the action as he had intended to hit the advertising board.

There was no doubt about the intention in these incidents though, as we remember some of football's fieriest clashes between players and fans.

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Read more: Brendan Rodgers hails Celtic's response - as Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald defends hot-headed Gary Fraser

1. Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick

Undoubtedly the most famous example of a player picking a fight with a fan was when Manchester United’s eccentric French striker aimed a kung-fu kick at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons.

Cantona had been sent off moments before launching the shocking attack, which saw him fined £30,000, banned from football for eight months and sentenced to 120 hours of community service.

2. Patrice Evra lashes out at Marseille fan

Patrice Evra aimed a kick at a Marseille fan ahead of the French outfit’s Europa League clash with Vitoria de Guimaraes in November.

He was fined €10,000 and saw his contract with the Ligue 1 side terminated after receiving a seven-month ban from football.

3. AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper knocks down pitch invader

In 2011, AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado was confronted by a pitch invader during his team’s league clash with Ajax and responded with a flying kick, before applying another couple of boots while the fan was on the ground.

He was sent off for his actions, leading his coach to order that the AZ players leave the pitch in protest, and the red card was later rescinded by the Dutch FA.

4. Eran Zahavi stands his ground

During a fiery Tel- Aviv derby between Hapoel and Maccabi in November 2014, a supporter ran onto the pitch to confront Eran Zahavi and launch a kick at the striker. The striker wasn’t scared off though, and retaliated with a shove and kick of his own.

He was sent off and the match abandoned as pitch invasions continued.

5. Oakley keeper sent off for fighting with his own fans

Closer to home, Tranent reported chaotic scenes last month when Oakley United goalkeeper Ross Wortley jumped over a barrier to start a fight with a group of his own supporters during a juniors game.

He was sent off for his behaviour and Tranent went on to win 5-1.  The club wrote in their match report: “Headbutts, uppercuts and kung-fu kicks were on the menu, all witnessed by the players, supporters, including many children, and referee.”