Brendan Rodgers has offered a firm defence of Adam Idah after a video was shared on social media of the Celtic striker.
The 24-year-old was videoed on a night out on Wednesday with footage widely shared in the days since. Celtic did not have training on Thursday with Idah out in his free time. He will be in the squad for the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.
Rodgers has explained he has not watched the video but was made aware of the matter as Idah called him to discuss the situation.
The Celtic boss is confident he has the "full story" and hailed Idah as a "great young professional" as he admitted his sadness over the viral video situation.
"I haven't seen anything," said Rodgers when asked for his take on the matter. "But Adam rang me yesterday to take me through everything that happened. I spoke to him again this morning.
"There is a sadness to it. He knows where I am in terms of focus and mentality, but this was on a day off.
"The sad thing for me is a 24-year-old football player who in his spare time can't let his hair down without someone trying to film him. I think this is the challenge now for people in general, but in particular if you are a young footballer.
"I got the full story from him. I don't have any doubt. He is a great young professional, Adam.
"He does absolutely everything to be the best player he can be. A nutritionist outside the club, does his extra work, so I have no doubts but that is just a shame that these things get pieced together and make it look a lot worse than it is.
"He has to live with that but I have no doubts on his mentality. He's had an evening off on Wednesday, we were off Thursday, and we have got plenty time before the game on Sunday.
"I'm with Adam on that."
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Rodgers admitted he is disappointed that his players have to be "guarded" as he bemoaned "clowns" who try to expose players which leads to disappointment for genuine supporters desperate for pictures or an autograph.
He added: "I think in the modern society, and especially these young guys, they have to be guarded. Sadly, it's the way of the world.
"You have people, you will maybe go to sign an autograph or do a video and then some clown says something else in the video and people wonder why players will not do a video or sign or why they drive past.
"Well, you try to expose them, so why do they take the risk then, or they just don't bother, which is a sad thing because kids wanted their thing sigend and whatever else. It is where we are, we just have to live with that.
"Whatever was put out there, of course, people will have their own narrative to the story, but I get it from him, and he was honest enough to ring me yesterday.
"He trained really well, so he will be ready for the weekend."
