Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has blasted the behaviour of a fan who threw a coin at Kilmarnock’s Kris Boyd in what was a fiery clash against the Premiership rivals.
The Hoops snatched a last minute winner through midfielder and captain Scott Brown who then saw himself sent off, Killie having already played the final 15 minutes of the game without Kirk Broadfoot following his dismissal.
Speaking after the controversial encounter, Rodgers said Brown was unlucky to be sent off but that the behaviour from the fans left him angry.
He told the Scottish Sun: “I always think it’s unfortunate for players. Of course there’s the reaction from him going to the crowd. But with it being at the end of the game and the emotion of it I always think it’s harsh for a player to get sent off.
“Supporters had come on to the pitch, which we don’t want to see, although I understand the emotion of it all. Any behaviour like that (throwing coins) is not acceptable at all, I think we would all reinforce that.”
Opinion
It is bold of Rodgers to defend Brown when he knows what the rules set out by the officials are but at the same time the rules fail to take into account the emotion and passion of the game. However, throwing coins, which seems to be happening more and more in the game nowadays, is completely out of line and has no place in football. It is an incident which mars what should have been a hard fought win for the Bhoys and quite frankly the behaviour of the away fans, regardless of emotion, was above and beyond what was acceptable. It is great to see them fervently supporting their team but stepping over the boundary is only going to incur trouble for both themselves and the club. Hopefully Rodgers’ words will ward them off repeating their actions in the future – although any last minute winners which tightens their grip on the Premiership title will still probably have the same effect.