ROBERTS READY FOR A BRUISING
CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers last night joined forces with striker Leigh Griffiths in mounting an impassioned defence of fall guy defender Efe Ambrose.
Ambrose, at fault for the goal which saw Lincoln Red Imps claim an unexpected win in the first leg of a Champions League qualifier in Gibraltar, was at the centre of another calamity last night as he scored an own goal in this defeat by Barcelona in Dublin.
The Nigerian deflected Luis Suarez’s cross past Craig Gordon two minutes after Griffiths had equalised an early opener from Arda Turan and was subsequently booed by a small section of the support inside the Aviva Stadium.
With Erik Sviatchenko missing through injury, Jozo Simunovic out long-term and Kolo Toure not having played since May, Rodgers is short of defensive cover and may have to pitch Ambrose in again for the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Astana in midweek and is at pains to try to preserve the player’s confidence.
He said: ‘I think he is an unlucky guy, bless him. A striker would have been proud of that goal. It was so unfortunate for him and I actually thought he did OK at times.’
Rodgers insisted he had not heard any booing but was adamant that Ambrose’s character or commitment should not be called into question.
He continued: ‘If it was that — I didn’t hear that myself — it’s not nice. He is a man who, whatever his faults, is a really good guy who gives his all for the club and devotes his life to Celtic.
‘He prepares well, he trains well, he doesn’t cheat. He trains every day and he is a man who wants to get better. The Celtic supporters will support anyone who plays, whether that is Efe or anyone else who pulls on the green and white