Rodgers defends Idah after night out video

Scottish Cup semi-final: St Johnstone v Celtic

Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Sunday 20 April Time: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Follow on BBC Sport website & app; listen on BBC Sounds or BBC Radio Scotland

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has defended Adam Idah and hit out at people trying to "expose" footballers after a video of the striker appearing to throw up in a taxi circulated on social media.

Rodgers revealed the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international phoned him on the team's day off on Thursday to explain the situation.

The Celtic boss says he has no doubt that Idah is a "great young professional" and was upset to hear he had been filmed after a night out on Wednesday.

"There's a sadness to it," Rodgers said. "He knows where I am in terms of the group, he knows where I'm at in terms of focus and mentality. This was on a day off.

"The sad thing for me is that 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 a challenge now for people in general, but in particular if you're a young football player, you see it.

"I got the full story from him. I don't have any doubt he's a great young professional."

Celtic face St Johnstone on Sunday in the second Scottish Cup semi-final and Rodgers added Idah will be ready to play his part.

He also said the type of environment players are exposed to means "they have to be guarded".

"Sadly, it's the way of the world," the Celtic boss added.

"People will maybe go to sign an autograph or do a video and then some clown comes in and says something else in the video.

"Then people wonder, why will players not do a video? Why won't they sign? Why do they drive past? Because you try to expose them.

"So why do they take the risk then? Will they just drive past or just don't bother? Which is a sad thing because kids want their things signed and whatever else.

"It's where we are. We just have to live with that."

Just two weeks ago bottom club St Johnstone stunned Celtic 1-0 at McDiarmid Park in the league, after which Rodgers criticised his team's attitude in the first 45 minutes.

However, they responded with a 5-1 hammering of Kilmarnock last time out and are overwhelming favourites to win the Scottish Cup for what would be a seventh time in nine seasons.

Rodgers was satisfied with his team's response to a rare defeat and says he does not expect a return to the below-par performance in Perth.

"Our first-half performance just shows if you think you can not be aggressive and be passive in the game and not give a lot, and expect to gain a lot, it doesn't work," Rodgers said.

"That was our messaging after that performance. But you saw in our performance last week that was what this Celtic team is about.

"The pace and speed in the game, with the pressing and counter pressing. And that's what I expect to see at Hampden."