After watching his side turn on the style to beat Partick Thistle 5-0 Brendan Rodgers showed the other side of management.
Sometimes events on the pitch can take a slight back seat with the hoops boss presented with a little diplomatic incident involving Leigh Griffiths.
Throughout an incredible season of success the Celtic boss has been at pains to praise the attitude of his players, their team spirit, togetherness and willingness to work and learn.
While Rodgers appears friendly, relaxed and balanced there is no doubt about who is in control, the former Liverpool boss is no soft touch and knows when to exert his authority.
What goes on in private is for others to speculate over but in public last night Rodgers was happy to make his point over Griffiths and move on.
“For a minute he thought about himself instead of the team,” Rodgers told The Sun. “The team has to be selfless.
“He’s a brilliant boy, all strikers will always be the same. He just needed a wee reminder that it’s not about him or any individual, it’s about the culture of the team.
“He was outstanding tonight and he understood afterwards. I need to protect him as he’s our only fit striker at the minute. Leigh’s fine, the moment’s gone.”
The Celtic striker voiced his disapproval to boss Brendan Rodgers after being replaced by Scott Sinclair. Is he right? pic.twitter.com/ElmEeSJXlg
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) May 18, 2017
On there being a kiss between the two, Rodgers said: “Yes, and he needs a cuddle as well.
“Listen I don’t leave anything out. The communication with the players is always open. I don’t tell them something in six months that I can tell them now.
“If I need to tell them, I tell them but it’s in a way to help them so there’s no drama.”
Griffiths will now face an anxious wait to see if he starts Sunday’s match against Hearts with the final of the Scottish Cup just a week away.
Isn’t Brendan Rodgers just the best though. Such a class act ????#Griffiths #cel pic.twitter.com/mTixYUvlGa
— Marcus Macleod (@marcusmacleod) May 18, 2017
