Celtic can expect a hostile reception when they travel to Sweden next week, judging by comments from some of the Malmo players.
The Bhoys won the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, but conceded a late goal to leave the scoreline 3-2 and give their opponents hope for the return fixture.
Malmo goalkeeper Johan Wiland was unhappy with the performance of the Celtic players during the match.
Leigh Griffiths “behaved like a child” according to Johan Wiland.
“They are pigs, all of them, that’s the way it is,” Wiland said after the game. “You just have to try to stay cool and do what we have to do on the pitch.
He reserved particular scorn for Celtic goalscorer Leigh Griffiths.
“Leigh Griffiths, well, I don’t know what to say, he behaved like a child, tugging shirts all the time.”
Malmo defender Rasmus Bengtsson joined in the criticism.
“There were some players who talked a lot, you probably know who I mean,” Bengtsson said. “They have a captain (Scott Brown) and a few others who like to talk. But that’s the way it is at this level.
“One player who came on (Nadir Ciftci) was not particularly nice. The first thing he wanted to do when he came on was to talk. He had more focus on that than his performance. And I don’t think it was to their advantage that they were running around focusing on other things.”
@CQN Malmo boss thinks Celtic were unfit? Player calls them childish pigs?? Mmmm... Celtic's motivational officer can have a few days off...
— Mark Murphy (@MarkMurphy66) August 20, 2015
As if the prospect of the Champions League stages wasn’t enough, the comments should give the Scottish club plenty of incentive to come out on top in next week’s return leg.
H/T: The Guardian