Stephen Baxter says it took Paul Heatley two days to return his phone call after the forward's red card against Carrick Rangers.
Heatley has been hit with a seven-match ban following an incident with Andy Mitchell in last Saturday's 4-3 defeat.
The 35-year-old was shown a straight red card by referee Raymond Crangle after appearing to headbutt former Crues midfielder Mitchell.
Read more: Irish Premiership LIVE score updates from Saturday's games
Baxter confirmed the length of the suspension after Friday night's 0-0 draw with Cliftonville at Solitude.
He says Heatley was left "ripped apart" by the incident.
"It was a headbutt, there is no getting away from that," Baxter told the BBC.
"It was minimal contact but he gestured towards him with his head. It was silly in the round because they had already had a wee spat and they had made up. He shook his hand and they were running away.
"If you know Heats the way I have known Heats over the years, he runs about shouting and bawling about all of the tackles he gets, but he is the nicest boy you would ever wish to meet off the football pitch.
"He is a gentleman who would do anything for anybody, a quiet-spoken, well-spoken young man. He was ripped apart by what happened, absolutely ripped apart."
Baxter added: "It took him two days to return a phone call from me he was so, so disappointed in how he had let everyone down.
"That is the mark of the guy. He is hurting right now and we will miss him, but he is leading with his head and you shouldn't do it. He left Raymond with no option."
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