Cerny water squirt showed 'lack of respect' - Rodgers

Vaclav Cerny in action during Rangers' recent 3-2 win at Celtic Park

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny demonstrated a "lack of respect" with his water-squirting celebrations in the Old Firm derby.

The Czech Republic international, who had been withdrawn five minutes before Hamza Igamane grabbed a late winner, aimed the contents of a drinks bottle at home fans as he ran up the touchline in the aftermath of the goal.

"I understand the jubilation and Rangers players have every right to celebrate with their supporters," said Rodgers.

"You come to Celtic Park, like it would be when we go to Ibrox, you win a game of that magnitude, you celebrate. But not in that way."

On Thursday, Rangers' interim boss Barry Ferguson said Cerny had got a "wee bit over-excited", adding: "I have no issues with that."

But Rodgers was clear he would not stand for similar actions.

He continued: "It's respect, isn't it? I think it's a lack of respect if somehow a player runs up a touchline and he's squirting a water bottle in a supporter's face. I certainly wouldn't want my players to do it.

"Listen, it works both ways, a lot comes into players as well, from the stands, to coaches, managers and players.

"But I think we all know there's a line that we shouldn't cross. It is a very emotive game, an amazing fixture, and I thought it was great to have the [away] fans back in, I think that gave it that extra bit as well.

"But I just think there's lines we can't antagonise because in this fixture in particular, that can lead to an issue."

Rangers' 3-2 win at Celtic Park, was the first domestic home defeat of the season for the runaway league leaders.

It was also a second successive derby success for Rangers, who were 3-0 victors at Ibrox in January.

"In both of those Rangers games, we haven't started well at all," added Rodgers.

"Whether it is a subconscious thing, I'm not sure. It's been 13 points clear, 16 points clear.

"Whether that does have a deep effect on how you enter into the game… It shouldn't, because our mantra is always to start very quick.

"But we didn't and credit to Rangers because they did. They got 2-0 up and then we had to bounce back. But from that second half, we shouldn't lose the game. It's as simple as that.

"The analysis is pretty easy, but that's my responsibility to make us better the next time."

Rodgers added: "We were obviously disappointed with the result. However, I can't forget what this team has done over the course of the season.

"We've been tremendous through large parts of the season and now we sit 13 points clear.

"We have eight games to go, the possibility of a Scottish Cup final, and we're in a really good place."