Brendan ‘surprised’ at Pedro flare-up

didn’t back down when approached by Caixinha as he walked off the pitch at the weekend.

Rodgers said: “I didn’t see it until afterwards, to be honest. Obviously I was surprised when I saw it because at half-time as a manager you want to get in as quick as you can because it’s a vital period for you to get your message to your players and get ready for that.

“It’s not something you really want to see, to be honest. Broony was brilliant in the game and he’s a good guy.”

Meanwhile, it was announced last night that the Lisbon Lions are to be honoured at the Scottish Football Hall of Fame Dinner next month.

The Celtic team led by skipper Billy McNeill became the first British club to lift the European Cup when they famously beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Estadio Nacional on May 25, 1967.

Now 50 years on from that historic achievement, Jock Stein’s side will be recognised by a list of big-name figures from Scottish football at Hampden on Sunday, October 15.

“It is very humbling to be honoured in this way and we are delighted to receive this kind of recognition,” said former Celtic defender Jim Craig, who set up Tommy Gemmell’s equaliser in Lisbon.

“It has been an emotional year for all the Lions and our families. There have been so many wonderful tributes organised by Celtic and we have enjoyed so many fantastic moments as we have marked this special 50th anniversary year.

“We are delighted now to also mark this very special year by entry to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.”

Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell was full of praise of the group of homegrown players who took world football by storm five decades ago.

He said: “As a club we have been delighted over so many years to pay tribute to their success and have just celebrated a very special anniversary year in style.

“It is fantastic that they have now been recognised in this way, by taking their rightful place in the Hall of Fame.”