Celtic boss to speak to Derk Boerrigter about dive

RONNY Deila says he will have a talk with Derk Boerrigter if he feels the Celtic wide-man dived against St Johnstone.

Derk Boerrigter goes down in controversial circumstances to earn Celtic a penalty. Picture: SNS

The Parkhead side’s 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night brought some controversy when, at 1-0, the Dutch substitute went to ground inside the box under a challenge by Saints skipper Dave Mackay, who was then sent off by referee John Beaton before midfielder Nir Biton scored from the spot.

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright said afterwards: “If there was contact (with Boerrigter) it was minimal and it didn’t make him go down because he didn’t go down in the contact, that is clear for everyone to see,” and it was confirmed on Thursday morning that the Perth club would appeal Mackay’s red card.

Celtic manager Deila was speaking at the club’s Lennoxtown training ground ahead of the visit of Dundee United on Saturday and he made his thoughts clear on simulation.

He said: “I haven’t seen it but as I said yesterday, there will be decisions for and against Celtic and over 38 games the best team will win.

“But I don’t like diving. I don’t want to cheat.

“We have to see the pictures and if he dived too easy, I will have to have a little talk with Derk.

“I want fair play but I have to see it before I can say anything.”