Linfield manager David Healy insisted that he did not see any missiles thrown at Celtic players at Windsor Park last night.

There was one incident just after the hour mark when bottles and coins were quite clearly thrown at Leigh Griffiths, while most corner kicks had prompted the same response with coins. Riot police with dogs brought into the ground at the full-time whistle as a supporters got onto the pitch to go at Griffiths, and it is inevitable that sizeable UEFA fines will follow.

Healy, though, refused to acknowledge the incidents, insisting that tensions around the game were stoked elsewhere.

The former Rangers striker said: "I don't think it was always going to happen.

"I think a lot of people in the media were making a big deal out of it.

"Linfield as a club have made giant strides over the years to try to cut that shouting and abuse out but you get that in Old Firm games, you get that in Manchester derbies, you are always going to get a ferocious red hot atmosphere.

"Our fans back us, back the players and me through thick and thin and hopefully they continue to do that throughout the season."