BRENDAN Rodgers, the Celtic manager, last night played down a touchline bust-up with Leigh Griffiths during his side's emphatic 5-0 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
Griffiths, who had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half, exchanged terse words with Rodgers after being substituted during the second half.
The Irishman admitted afterwards the 26-year-old had "forgot himself" when he was replaced and had thought of himself before the team.
But he revealed that he had spoken to the player following the Ladbrokes Premiership match and stressed there was no lingering ill-feeling between them.
“For a minute he forgot himself," he said. "For a minute he thought about himself instead of the team. This is a team that’s selfless. I can change it about and the players know I trust them in their work.
“He’s a brilliant boy, but all strikers will always be the same. So he just needed a wee reminder that this is not about him or any other individual. This is about the culture of the team.
“But he was outstanding tonight and he understood afterwards that I need also to protect him as the only fit striker at the moment."
Rodgers added: “It’s gone now. Footballers just need reminders sometimes but I explained it to him and it’s gone. We kissed and made up - and he gave us a cuddle as well! He’s fine.
“I don’t leave anything out. I’ve always said to the players I’m very open with my communication. I don’t tell them something in six months that I can tell them now.
“If I need to tell them I will tell them - but it’s always in a way to help them. Every one of them will tell you they understand that.
“So there’s no drama, but with modern footballers you’ve just got to remind them, especially strikers."
Celtic can now break the Premiership record for points accumulated and goals scored as well as wins recorded if they beat Hearts before they're presented with the trophy at Parkhead on Sunday.
“That’s 103 points, 104 goals and 33 wins - so we need one more win to beat that record also," he said.
“I think everyone coming here would have expected a severe test for us tonight, and rightly so because Alan (Archibald) has been fantastic this season getting his team in the top six and being really hard to beat. It was an outstanding team performance at this stage of the season."
Rodgers is now hoping Celtic can end their league campaign on a massive high with victory over Hearts at home. "If we can beat the 103 points and score more goals, great," he said.
"To end the season with 34 wins out of 38 would be a remarkable achievement and we could celebrate a wonderful season in the league, which would be great for the supporters and hopefully they are enjoying the football."
Archibald felt the scoreline could have been even greater and admitted his Thistle side had been afraid of their opponents.
"We were lucky to only be beaten by five," he said. "I think they took their foot off the gas at half-time to be honest. For us, it was very disappointing.
"Celtic are obviously a good side, but you can't stand off them. We played with a fear tonight. That was there for all to see in the first five or 10 minutes. They could have been ahead before they got the penalty.
"They are more of a threat away from home. They bring an atmosphere with them. They can cut you open at any time.
"They play with a higher tempo. You can't let them play with that tempo and we did. We stood off them at key times. As I said, we gave them a gift of a penalty which sent them on their way. I don't think any changes they make weakens them."
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