Partick Thistle midfielder Gary Fraser has issued an apology following a "moment of madness" when he blasted the ball into the Celtic Park crowd.

Fraser lost his cool in the closing stages of the Jags' 2-0 loss to Celtic on Wednesday night, lashing a ball over the hoardings and striking a woman in the home end.

In a statement, the Firhill club said Fraser "intended to hit the wall at the front of the stand" but understood his actions were "inexcusable".

Fraser has now phoned the fan to offer an apology - which has been accepted - and invited the woman to attend next month's match between the two sides .

He said: "I can only apologise both to the supporter I struck and everyone else who was at the ground.

"I don't know what I was thinking, it was a moment of madness and stupidity from me.

"Of course it should never have happened but I absolutely did not mean to hit the ball into the stand and certainly had no intention of hitting anyone with it."

Fraser added: "It reflected badly on me and on the team and I feel like I've let down the club. As soon as it happened I realised what I had done and was devastated.

"All I can do is say that I am genuinely sorry and that is why I wanted speak to the supporter myself today."

Fraser was booed by the majority of the home support in the aftermath.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, however, was willing to give the Jags midfielder some leeway.

"I would have to give the benefit of the doubt to the player as I would sincerely hope he wouldn't be smashing the ball into a crowd on purpose," he said.

"You get that close to supporters who are paying money to watch a game then you shouldn't be doing things like that.

"Maybe it was frustration from the young player because he's not playing or he is losing the game but you don't do that."

Thistle manager Alan Archibald - whose side remain bottom of the table - backed Fraser, saying: "He didn't mean it. He tried to hit the boards out of frustration.

"He is frustrated he never started the game. I don't think there was any malice, he is not that type of lad."