Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, has told Leigh Griffiths to learn his lesson and show self-control as the striker faces being banned from a Champions League qualifier for having tied a scarf to a post in Belfast last week.
Griffiths could be given a one-game suspension from Uefa for “provoking supporters” with his stunt at the end of Celtic’s 2-0 first-leg win against Linfield at Windsor Park on Friday night. The second leg is at Celtic Park this evening, which Griffiths will miss because of a minor injury, but Uefa’s hearing tomorrow could apply a sanction which rules him out of next week’s probable first leg against Dundalk or Rosenborg in the third qualifying round.
Rodgers kept his cards close to his chest in terms of his thoughts on Uefa hitting Celtic with two charges — one for Griffiths; one for failing to control their players because they amassed five bookings — but the manager did repeat his “surprise” that Griffiths was cautioned for having paused to show the Spanish referee a glass bottle which had been thrown at him, among other missiles hurled by Linfield fans.
Tension rose towards the end of the first leg and Griffiths, clearly irked by having been a target for missiles from home supporters as he took corners, did try to get his own back by tying the Celtic scarf to the post after the game, an act which provoked some in the home support. Uefa charged Linfield for the missile throwing and for one fan having got on to the pitch after Griffiths’s gesture.
“It’s a lesson learned for him,” said Rodgers. “It could mean that he misses a Champions League qualification game, which is a huge game for the club and it’s a huge game for him considering he wants to be available and play all the time. He’s got that devilment — which is great, which is what you want — but it has always got to be controlled. You have to be in control, you have to make yourself available, living your life right and doing all the things it takes to be a top footballer otherwise you get left behind. For tying a scarf round a post, that’s ultimately what it is. You’re not available and the consequence could be you lose your place in the team. And it’s not a team that you want to be out of too often for any other reason than being injured.
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“It all sort of adds up really. The [Griffiths] booking was harsh, I have to say. I watched a game last year that we won 3-1 at Pittodrie and I saw [Aberdeen right back] Shay Logan running up and down the side shouting at our supporters. I watched the game back and the game was going on over there and I’m watching what the full back’s doing with our supporters. There was nothing in that, but my point is I don’t think Leigh should have got the yellow card for that incident [against Linfield].
“I think we picked up five bookings against Linfield and it’s [being treated] like we had five sendings off! Sometimes you go into European football and it’s like that: the referees and officials can be a wee bit sensitive, especially in a ‘British’ game.”
Ironically Celtic were yesterday announced as winners of the SFA Premiership Fair Play Award winners for last season, having finished with the top flight’s best disciplinary record. Aberdeen were second and Dundee third.
Olivier Ntcham is in the squad for tonight’s second leg. Emilio Izaguirre, their long-serving left back, is considering an offer from the Saudi Arabian club Al-Faiha.
David Healy, Linfield’s manager said: “It is hugely important that the 1,000 supporters here behave themselves in an impeccable manner, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the game, enjoy the occasion, and we come away talking about, hopefully, another positive performance.”