Malmo goalkeeper brands Celtic players as 'pigs' following Champions League playoff

Malmo goalkeeper Johan Wiland branded Celtic players “pigs” following the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.

The Swede hit out after his side fell to a 3-2 defeat in the play-off opener at Celtic Park, and reserved special vitriol for Hoops striker Leigh Griffiths.

Quoted on the Kvallsposten newspaper’s website, the 34-year-old keeper said: ” They are pigs, everybody, that’s it. It’s just about trying to be cool and do what we should be on the football field.”

Griffiths netted two goals but did not impress Wiland, who saw Nir Bitton head a corner past him as he struggled to get past the former Hibernian striker on the line.

He said: “Griffiths is, I do not know what to say. He behaves like a child.”

Another player, Rasmus Bengtsson, was quoted in the Swedish media claiming that Celtic had players who did too much talking on the pitch, including skipper Scott Brown, who had an argument with Hareide during the game.

SEE MORE: Previews of UEFA Champions League playoff round games.

And he accused substitute Nadir Ciftci of focusing more on bad-mouthing Malmo players than playing. The former Dundee United player was one of six players booked – three from each side – following an injury-time foul.

The criticism followed frank comments from Malmo coach Age Hareide in the post-match media conference.

SEE MORE: Watch the second-leg for free with FOX Soccer 2GO’s 7-day trial.

After former Celtic player Jo Inge Berget netted his second goal in the fifth minute of injury time, Hareide claimed the hosts had looked tired in the closing stages and added: ”We saw against Inverness that they do not have the legs for 90 minutes.”

The second leg takes place in Sweden on Tuesday (live at 2:45pm ET on FOX Soccer 2GO).