Brendan Rodgers Celtic press conference in full as 'strange' Tomoki Iwata sub booing addressed

Brendan Rodgers has addressed the "strange" Celtic fan boos after one of his second half subs against Motherwell.

The large travelling support made their feelings known when the Hoops gaffer withdrew Tomoki Iwata for Paulo Bernardo as the champions chased victory. It was 1-1 when the change was made with the Parkhead gaffer taking off a defensive midfielder for an attacking player. He admits the reaction wasn't what he would have expected but hailed the mentality of his stars as Adam Idah grabbed his second goal in the 94th minute before Luis Palma added a third to move back to within two points of leaders Rangers.

And Rodgers highlighted the importance of the bench while responding to the punters' displeasure. He explained: "It's very important. Especially when you get booed for taking off a defender and putting on an attacker. That seems strange but I think it is important. Going into 90+ minutes you are talking 95-100 minute games now. So the bench is very important. That ability and having the depth to bring players on to make the impact was very, very important."

"For me, it doesn't really matter but more for the player coming pn and the team. It is a negative reaction that I don't quite understand. You are one each in the game and take off a defensive midfielder player for an attacking player who has scored goals this season. But you get booed. It just seems a little strange. Thankfully the players' mentality on the pitch was superb and they kept going and kept fighting.

"It's not only for Celtic. I think it is in general at any club. If that feeling rolls down off the stands ontp the pitch and it is negative what do you expect? You'll get players who will have a nervousness so the game will look different.

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