Brendan Rodgers doubles down on Celtic pyro misuse stance as boss claims players ‘could be injured’
Brendan Rodgers has once again slammed Celtic's support for using pyrotechnics in games - this time aiming to reach out to fans by claiming that his players could be injured.
Celtic, alongside Rangers and Motherwell, have been charged for using pyros in their Premier Sports Cup games at the start of November, but it's not the first time the club have been in trouble - with UEFA giving them a suspended one-game away ban and a fine of £16,700 for using flares in their Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund in October.
The boss has already criticised the club's loyal support for their displays, stating two months ago that they 'only care for themselves' - but, unable to reach out with the shows continuing, Rodgers has now stated that safety is paramount and his players could become injured as a result.
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Speaking ahead of their game against Hibs, he said: “Safety is of paramount importance. Firstly, for the people in the stands. I always worry about people who are in and around that area when they are going off.
“When you’re young, sometimes you don’t see the dangers. You don’t see or think of other people. But that’s a concern for me, especially for our own supporters.
“Then my concern is also for the players. Because when you are preparing for a game of football, it is detailed to the second so you are ready to go whenever the kick-off is due to start. We were 14 minutes delayed in that semi-final. Now, that can be the cause of someone getting injured, especially at this time of year.
“You prepare, your details are there, you go to start the game and then you can’t. You are standing about waiting, so all that preparation you put in - the body’s cold again. Then the muscles are at risk.
“So these are things you would maybe never think about when you are holding the flare or sticking something up in the air. But I just think the safety of supporters and players is of paramount importance. It’s not just Celtic, the message is for every club.
“I’m not surprised (by the SPFL charge), I just think it’s something which should be done. I don’t see what it adds to the game. So it’s right that they look into it and try to stop it. Across the board, the league then have the option to create a sanction that ensures it hopefully doesn’t happen.”
