Rodgers explains the set-piece mystery

Brendan Rodgers sympathised with an explained one of the biggest bugbears of many Celtic fans- why does Leigh Griffiths take so many set pieces.

The logic of having a 40 goal striker delivering free kicks and corners rather than being in the penalty box to capitalise seems bizarre.

Surely every manager wants his striker to be in and around the penalty spot to tuck chances away.

After the win over Aberdeen last night Rodgers told BT Sport: “I’m never one for having a centre forward take a corner. I’m never one for that, but our quality from set pieces at times this season hasn’t been good enough.

“We haven’t scored as many goals as I’d have wanted to and I’ve put Griff onto them now. The three games he’s been on we’ve scored from set-pieces, his delivery is unbelievable.”

Griffiths provided the assist to Celtic’s first goal with a corner that Dedryck Boyata headed home from eight yards out.

The former Manchester City defender was a constant threat to the Aberdeen defence and could have scored a hat-trick given an even share of breaks.

With Griffiths back in the team and taking the corners Boyata has scored in each of his last three appearances- against Sevco, St Johnstone and Aberdeen.

Next up for Griffiths and Boyata is Partick Thistle on Thursday night before Celtic complete their SPFL campaign at home to Hearts on May 21.