Brendan Rodgers believes that Leigh Griffiths will be quick to pick himself up after finding himself benched for both club and country.

The striker changed his Twitter name to “Shorty” this week in response to quotes from Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, who explained that the reason Griffiths has been left out of the starting line-ups against Lithuania and Slovakia was down to the height in the team.

It clearly irked Griffiths, who scored 40 goals for Celtic last season, but Rodgers has backed the player to come through what has been a difficult month for him as Moussa Dembele has also eclipsed him at Celtic.

“I actually can do nothing about his growth,” said Rodgers. “I can’t coach that! No, joking aside, you never know what was said or not said. I respect Gordon, he picks his team for Scotland. I will always respect the fact he is picking what he thinks is his best team for Scotland.

“I can only comment on Leigh as the player I’ve got. It’s difficult for the kid at the moment but he has shown a great attitude.

“He is coming off the back of 40 goals and started this season great. He then gets injured and his replacement comes in. Unfortunately, his replacement is one of the best young strikers in European football.

“It’s not as if he is being kept out by someone who is not a good player. However hard it is for him, he understands it.

“He is a great boy. I have loved him from the first time I met him here.

“It’s probably hard for him that, say, someone who maybe hadn’t scored for so many games – not that he has said it, I can look and anticipate – is up front for his national team. There is someone like him who is a natural goalscorer.

But in my conversations with Leigh before about the national team, he really enjoys working with Gordon. He really respects him and he will continue to go there.

“He is a big talent. Just at the minute, there are different headlines because of where it’s at.

“But football changes very quickly and I’m sure he will get opportunities to play for both Celtic and Scotland again. He just needs to make sure he is ready, like I say to all the players.”