Linfield to probe bottle incident involving Celtic's Griffiths

Belfast (AFP) – Linfield will investigate a bottle-throwing incident involving Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths that occurred during the Scottish club’s 2-0 win in Friday’s Champions League second qualifying round.

Scott Sinclair and Tom Rogic scored as Celtic won a hostile first-leg encounter at Windsor Park in Belfast, but Scotland international Griffiths was targeted by objects thrown from a section of the home crowd while taking a corner.

The striker was booked after picking up a bottle thrown onto the pitch, a decision Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers branded as “strange” before saying he would seek further explanation from the officials.

Linfield issued a statement after the match promising to punish anyone identified as being involved.

“The club will be reviewing our own footage and investigating an incident that took place during the match where a number of objects were thrown on to the pitch. We are obviously very disappointed that a small number of people chose not to respect the club’s wishes,” the statement said. 

“Linfield FC strongly condemns these actions and will be taking all necessary steps to identify any individual who was engaged in this activity. The club takes the safety of fans, players and officials extremely seriously and there will be serious and lasting consequences for anyone involved.”

Celtic substitute Jonny Hayes also had missiles launched at him when he took over corner-kick duties, while a number of home fans attempted to access the pitch at the final whistle after Griffiths tied a scarf to the goal posts.

One supporter did make it onto the surface but was quickly ejected as police and stewards moved in to contain the situation.