BRENDAN RODGERS has answered former Rangers player Billy Dodds’ claim that he is trying to influence the SFA.
The ex-Ross County assistant boss hit out at the Celtic manager for his comments following the red card for Dingwall skipper Andrew Davies, as CQN reported yesterday.
The Highland outfit’s defender was sent off after a brutal stamp on prone Celtic skipper Scott Brown who had already been hauled to the ground by Jim O’Brien. Referee Steven McLean had no hesitation in banishing Davies for an obvious foul during the champions’ 3-0 win at Parkhead on Saturday.
Rodgers labelled the assault as “disgraceful” and “dangerous” and clearly felt the automatic two-match ban for the County captain – the same punishment served on Jozo Simunovic for his ordering-off at Ibrox last month – wouldn’t fit the crime.
Asked about Dodds’ criticism, the Hoops gaffer replied: “It does surprise me. You need to take each case on its own.
“If the authorities deem that violent conduct and not excessive, then there is a problem. I know Billy, not that well, but I was asked my opinion after the game.
“I was making an observation that when you get sent off, it’s normally two games, but what distinguishes between excessive and violent conduct?
“Jozo Simunovic was banned for two games due to the positioning of his elbow. It wasn’t clear, but for me, it was a sending-off.
“So when you have a tackle like that, which could have been career-ending and career-threatening, does that warrant the same?
“Two games? That was the question I was asking – and I don’t think it did.
“It’s not influencing anyone, it’s my opinion and it’s for the protection of players up and down the country.”
Read more from Celtic Quick News …
- ‘BROONY LOVES ROUGH STUFF,’ GRIFF
- HOOPS’ TITLE PARTY POSER
- O’NEILL’S EURO BACKING FOR RODGERS
- LEGEND’S SUPPORT FOR SINCLAIR
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