BRENDAN Rodgers has launched a strong defence of Scottish referees – while also maintaining that TV broadcasters are dwelling on flashpoints involving Celtic more than other teams.

There was a feeling that both Erik Sviatchenko and then Craig Gordon could have been sent off in the last two outings involving the Parkhead side – one for a foul on Ross Draper as the Inverness player cut across Sviatchenko and the other when Gordon’s mistimed tackle took out Greig Spence as the Hoops booked their place in the semi-final of the Betfred League Cup.

However, Rodgers believes the contentious moments have been lingered on and then analysed more than necessary. 

Read more: Ryan Christie believes Leigh Griffiths can add bite to Celtic attackGlasgow Times:

"What doesn’t help is afterwards when the video footage is shown 14 times,” said Rodgers. “We played at Inverness and Sviatchenko’s tackle was shown 26 times.

“I saw games with similar profile over the course of the last week, where a player arguably should have been sent off, and the video was shown twice.”
And while Rodgers believes TV broadcasters are sensationalising incidents, he has praised what he has called a high standard of officiating in Scotland.

Read more: Ryan Christie believes Leigh Griffiths can add bite to Celtic attack

“There are two players behind the ball – it’s a yellow card,” said the Celtic manager as he referenced the Gordon incident. “The referee [Alan Muir] called it absolutely perfect. 

“I know modern day football is about sensationalism, but there are certain key incidents in the game where TV and video is not used. But it gives people something to talk about it and everyone has an opinion these days.” 

Rodgers also refuted the suggestion that the incident with Gordon highlighted a lack of confidence in a player who has been displaced from the number one position.

“It is down to decision making. Do you stay or do you go?” he said. “I don’t think it is anything to do with confidence. It is just tactical decision making in the game.” 

Dorus de Vries has taken the gloves, but the Celtic manager has played down the scrutiny that both stoppers are under.

Read more: Ryan Christie believes Leigh Griffiths can add bite to Celtic attack

“It’s like the outfield players,” he said.  “If you’ve Leigh Griffiths playing as the only striker all season then he doesn’t get pushed if you’ve got one or two others. 

“It’s exactly the same for the goalkeepers. They need to have a little push. A goalkeeper, first and foremost, needs to be able to make saves. The second point is can they participate? 

“When you have the ball you have 11 footballers. If you go back over the video stuff with Dorus at Swansea, that’s how it worked.

“Has Craig’s feet improved since I’ve been here? Yes. Is he a good shot-stopper? Very good. But I don’t really want to be answering questions on my goalkeepers every week. I have very good goalkeepers. If I choose one, he will be the one asked to do the job.”