RODGERS CALLS FOR CRACKDOWN
Celtic manager urges Scottish game to weed out violence
BRENDAN Rodgers has called for a fresh crackdown on supporter misbehaviour in Scottish grounds in the wake of the coin throwing and disorder which marred Wednesday night’s Edinburgh derby and insisted that Neil Lennon’s conduct had nothing to do with it.
While the Hibs manager’s actions on the touchline were criticised this week by Les Gray, the Scottish Police Federation
chairman, nothing justifies the attack on him by a Hearts supporter at Tynecastle in midweek, while Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal was also struck by a Hibs fan on the night and assistant referees Frank Connor and David McGeachie targeted with missiles. Rodgers isn’t sure whether things are getting worse or better in this regard, but he finds it depressing that the actions of a few individuals should drag the name of Scottish football through the mud in this way.
“That [whether in some way Lennon brings it on himself] shouldn’t even be a question,” said Rodgers of his fellow Northern Irishman. “You get some coaches who’ll participate with the crowd when there’s banter coming from the stands and it goes back and forth. Okay. But you should never be hit with a coin when you are out there at your place of work.
“From Neil’s perspective, I’m sure it shocked him,” added Rodgers. “At the same time, you had the goalkeeper with his situation down the other end as well. But I think both clubs have been unified in their statement. It’s something no coach, manager or player in their workplace should have to go through.”
Rodgers insisted he had never experienced anything of that ilk, although he was ‘nearly hit with a pie somewhere’, and said he felt the intensity of the atmosphere up here should be one of the game’s selling points.
“Touch wood, I’ve never had anything like that,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the intensity and the hostility. You go to these games and that’s what you love. We’re all different as managers with different traits and personalities. But no matter what the personality is or who it is, you still have to be able to work in an environment that’s safe. The one safe environment you should have as a player and a manager or coach is on the field. It’s your job. So from that aspect, it was disappointing to see.
“I look at the bigger picture of how it represents Scottish football and I don’t think it’s a true reflection of the passion up here.
“There always has to be a crackdown on behaviour. You can support your team and have the rivalry. Come into the ground, support your team as loud and staunchly as you can but, when it’s done, walk out, live your life, live it together and get on with it. It should never overspill into any violence or anything else that provokes poor behaviour.”