HE’S NO CHEAT
Rodgers jumps to the defence of striker Leigh
BRENDAN RODGERS last night offered a firm defence of Leigh Griffiths after the Celtic striker was booked for diving in yesterday’s Premiership match at St Johnstone.
Griffiths, who celebrated his 26th birthday by scoring Celtic’s first goal in a 4-2 victory, was shown a yellow card by referee Craig Thomson after tumbling in the penalty area under the attentions of Saints defender Richard Foster.
Celtic skipper Scott Brown recently labelled Jamie Walker a cheat for throwing himself to the ground and earning Hearts a penalty on the opening weekend of the season, an accusation reinforced by the subsequent two-match suspension incurred by the player.
Thomson’s decision to book Griffiths means there will be no retrospective action against the Celtic player but Rodgers insists it is not in his player’s nature to try and con officials.
‘I spoke to Leigh and he felt contact,’ said Rodgers. ‘I will need to see it again on the replay. Leigh felt there was contact and he goes down. I haven’t seen anything in training that shows he’s like a lot of players who simulate to provoke the ref into giving a penalty.’