MX23RW : Sunday, February 21 20:45:58| >> :120:75922:75922:

Celtic forward Albian Ajeti insists that he is not a diver

Celtic forward Albian Ajeti insists that he is not a diver
© Reuters
The Switzerland international was accused of causing referee Kevin Clancy to wrongly award the Hoops a spot-kick against Kilmarnock.

Celtic striker Albian Ajeti insists he is no diver after being cleared of a simulation charge earlier this week.

The Switzerland international was accused of causing referee Kevin Clancy to wrongly award the Hoops a spot-kick during their 4-0 Scottish Premiership victory at Rugby Park last week and potentially faced a two-match ban.

Ajeti tumbled to the ground inside the penalty area early in the second half when Kilmarnock goalkeeper Colin Doyle came out to challenge him.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon vigorously defended his player amidst debate on the incident and the charge of simulation was found "not proved" during a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

Ajeti, 23, was a "bit surprised" to be cited in the first instance and in a Zoom press conference refuted any suggestions that he is a diver.

He said: "There are many things that footballers hear about which is not true. But this is part of football, part of our profession. We have to accept it.

"They can call us whatever they want because we know what is going on, on the pitch. If they want to call me that, they can call me that but it isn't true.

"People who know my kind of football know that I like the body contact.

"I am quite an aggressive player so I don't think I am a proper diver because I like the body contact and my football is a bit harder than just to dive for a little contact.

"I didn't know about the process and how it works but now I know.

"I am happy they took the right decision and I am happy I didn't get a ban for that."

Celtic's convincing 4-0 victory at St Mirren on Wednesday night meant the Hoops have won three games in a row for the first time this year to sit 18 points behind league leaders Rangers with a game in hand, as they prepare to face St Johnstone in Perth on Sunday.

Ajeti, who has teamed up with Odsonne Edouard in the last three matches, insists renewed team spirit has underpinned the return to form.

He said: "It is going good for us, we are winning games and playing good football.

"I am always happy when I can play and even more happy when we succeed as a team, this is the most important thing for me.

"We are in good form right now and we are going to build on that and push forward.

"I think we stick together more than ever.

"We know we have the quality, we found a very good team spirit and we want to build on that."

ID:434772:cQx

Click here for more stories about Albian Ajeti

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Callum Davidson pictured in 2018
Read Next:
Callum Davidson insists Betfred Cup final will be a totally different game
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Albian Ajeti Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
League Two
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Ukrainian Premier League
Danish Superliga
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Eerste Divisie
Brasileiro
Copa Diego Maradona
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Premier League 2 - Div 1
SheBelieves Cup
Gallagher Premiership
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers3026407396482
2Celtic30198364224265
3Hibernian29157741261552
4Aberdeen3013983229348
5Livingston29117113635140
6St Mirren2998122834-635
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd30810122742-1534
8St Johnstone3089133139-833
9Motherwell2977152646-2028
10Kilmarnock3073202642-1624
11Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2966172856-2824
12Ross County2966172153-3224

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!