Griffiths learns quick lesson

Premiership: Hoops manager Rodgers sorts forward’s act of petulance

Celtic attacker Leigh Griffiths has apologised for his substitution strop at Firhill on Thursday night.

The Hoops forward was far from happy with his manager when replaced by Scott Sinclair just after the hour mark in the 5-0 Premiership win against Partick Thistle, having opened the scoring with a first-half penalty.

The Scotland attacker has played second fiddle to Moussa Dembele for most of the season but returned to the side recently due to the Frenchman’s hamstring injury.

Manager Brendan Rodgers empathised with Griffiths’ frustration and stressed he has a part to play at the Parkhead club while reminding him he will not tolerate any dissent.

The Northern Irishman and his captain Scott Brown were yesterday presented with their Premiership manager and player of the year awards.

Rodgers said: “I spoke to Leigh at length. He was fine. He apologised sincerely for his reaction. It wasn’t the right reaction.

“It’s not one that I expect and, more importantly, the rest of his team-mates expect.

“He is a really good fella and a massive part of what I am doing here.

“So please don’t think he is on his way out or this sort of stuff.

“It has been frustrating for him this season.

“He has had a multitude of injuries, sick, not able to train as much as he would like and to see the team do so well, and him not playing