BRENDAN RODGERS last night insisted he will never get any grief from dropping his star players because every one of them knows the team comes first.

Both Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele have had to be patient at times this season, as have Kolo Toure, Patrick Roberts and Emilio Izaguirre.

However, the Celtic manager has never had to deal with even one of them going in a strop.

Dembele was left on the bench for the Christmas Eve win at Hamilton and replaced Leigh Griffiths at half-time and scored Celtic’s third goal.

Rodgers has no qualms about leaving out any player because he knows they get that everyone has to play a part of the club are to be successful.

The Celtic boss said: “It’s just management of the players. We have a plan for them all and they all understand that in here there are two important things.

“First of all they defend the culture of the club, which is about respect, and they defend the values of the team. There is no individual – any of them – who is better than the collective.

“They all buy into that. When they score they all want to be with each other. They all have an important role. They understand that if we are going to play 60-odd games, win trophies and be at the highest level you can then they can’t all contribute (all the time).

“Moussa is 20. He needs time. Let him be and don’t put pressure on them. Patrick Roberts is 19, there are other guys as well, and they just need time. So they will play a lot of games, hopefully they will win things, and they respect the team’s ethos.”

It had been a while since the Frenchman had scored from open play and it was obvious he enjoyed the moment.

Rodgers said: “Strikers want to score and his was a really good finish. He hasn’t had so many chances of late, I have to say.

"That’s why when I came in I said it was important to have multiple goalscorers. If we rely on one then what happens when that guy doesn’t score?

“Fortunately we have a team full of goals. We are on 50 goals and we’re not even halfway through the season. That’s a lot of goals and it’s because they are coming from all over the team.”

Rodgers is confident Griffiths, who only lasted a half on Saturday, will be fit for Ross County at home on Wednesday.

But Tom Rogic seems to be running out of time to make the Hogmanay visit to Ibrox.

Rodgers said: Taking Leigh off was precautionary. His calf is a bit tight. He’s has this a number of times. He’s not been fit enough for long periods.

“The last thing I wanted to do was lose him when we have fit players available. I didn’t want to take a risk.

"If it was going to go it would have been on that pitch. But he is absolutely fine, scored a good goal and worked hard.

“Tom won’t be available for Wednesday but we’ll look towards the weekend. If it is a game we think he can play in he will but if not there is no drama, no problem. It’s about the team and someone else can step in and become a hero.”

One player who is set to leave, with the blessing of Rodgers, is Efe Ambrose who looks set to move south during the transfer window.

Rodgers said: “Efe is obviously not playing and he knows where he stands in terms of the team. I want to look after Efe in particular as much as I can.

"This is a guy who when I arrived I saw the newspapers absolutely killing him. This is a good man. He has mistakes like us all but this guy has been slaughtered and made fun of.

“I want to protect and help him. No, he isn’t playing for me, but he’s a human being and if I can help him get to England then fine. If something does come in then he and I will sit down and see what is best for Efe.

“He has something to offer but in our team that is slightly difficult at the moment.”