My gran had just died and Jimmy urged me not to play. I ended up getting last gasp winner... the Dons haven’t won at Celtic in the league since
Rodgers doesn’t miss the target with reply to Partick bad boy Fraser
From Back Page Parkhead punter during a moment of madness when he fired the ball into crowd in Wednesday’s night’s clash.
Former Celtic youth Fraser called the supporter yesterday and offered an invitation to Firhill for the next meeting of the sides at the end of January.
Rodgers accepted the apology – but admitted the Jags bad boy needs shooting practice after claiming he was aiming for the advertising hoardings.
The SFA yesterday confirmed no further action will be taken as ref Alan Muir’s yellow card was sufficient.
But Rodgers said: “When I came downstairs after the press conference on Wednesday he was there. He actually waited to apologise to me. I said to him, ‘You can’t be doing that.’
“But at least he was man enough to apologise. He said, ‘I didn’t mean to do that, I actually meant to hit the boards.’
“I said, ‘Well you have to work on your shooting then.’
“I’m sure it’s something he won’t do again. At least he was man enough to come to me as the leader of the team.”
Rodgers admitted Fraser manned up to say sorry and the Thistle player insisted he was embarrassed by the incident.
He said in a club statement: “I can only apologise both to the supporter I struck and everyone else who was at the ground.
“It was a moment of madness and stupidity. It should never have happened but I absolutely did not mean to hit the ball into the stand and had no intention of hitting anyone with it.
“I’ve let down the club. I am genuinely sorry and that is why I wanted speak to the supporter myself today.”
Rodgers is keen to draw a line under the incident and insisted
his focus is on Aberdeen tomorrow – and strengthening his squad for January.
Defender Marvin Compper has already checked in and the Hoops boss admitted he is hoping to have new signings on board for the winter break in Dubai next month.
There will also be departures with fringe men including Erik Sviatchenko set to move on. Rodgers said: “It’s going to be constant over January. But we’d like to have the players we want in for that period and the club are great at tying moves up.
“But getting new players is not always the answer. Last year was brilliant for us because we gained a couple of players. Nir Bitton and Dedryck Boyata jumped forward for me and we gained from it.
“I’d expect the same this year and if we can add a few players that would be great.
“There will be players who have not been playing who will look to move on. Centre-half was an area we wanted to strengthen so there will be less opportunities for some guys.”