Burns hails second half comeback

Burns praised Celtic for their second half performance

Celtic coach Tommy Burns said he was delighted with the side's second half performance after coming from behind in the 3-1 win against Aberdeen.

Gordon Strachan refused to speak to the media after he was sent to the stands during the game at Pittodrie.

"The first half Aberdeen were up for it - they are a smashing side with a lot of energy and creative ability," Burns said after the game.

"It took the lads time to find their feet and show a bit of composure."

Strachan was ordered from the dug-out by referee Charlie Richmond after an argument with an Aberdeen official and a fan after Kenny Miller's 85th-minute goal put the visitors in front.

Burns said Strachan had been defending his assistant Garry Pendrey following accusations he had made a rude gesture to the Aberdeen fans behind the dug-out.

Strachan was apparently pointing out that Pendrey's two-fingered gesture was to mark the second goal.

Burns told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound: "They can shout and call you all the names under the sun but we are winning 2-1 and that's what makes us happy.

"If that constitutes someone running from the crowd wanting to report us to the police then God help us all.

"It ends up a real embarrassment for the manager when he is suddenly sucked into that because the person involved who suddenly came from nowhere - a steward believe it or not.

"And Gordon felt that quite rightly so, as the manager, he had to protect people that work for him."