Ex-Celtic striker Andy Walker says diving is part of the game

Former Celtic and Bolton striker Andy Walker has revealed diving is all part of the modern game.

Walker's comments came after Manchester City’s 1-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, where home winger Arjen Robben was once again in the middle of a dive row.

The Netherlands international went down in the penalty area under pressure from City’s Fernandinho with the scoreline 0-0, but the referee waved away his appeals for a spot kick.

And Walker insists those reactions have become engrained in the fabric of the game, going as far as to admitting to diving himself.

Speaking to the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ he said: “I did it on occasion. I don’t think I was flamboyant as Robben but if I wanted to make sure the referee had seen what I thought was a foul I would choose not to stay on my feet and go to ground.

“I would put pressure on the referee - what do you think ref? Is this a penalty or not? And sometimes it would go for you.

“A lot of people will say that’s cheating but I think cheating's part of the game, as unpleasant and distasteful as that sounds.

“It was interesting listening to Jose Mourinho’s comments on the goal that Chelsea gave away when he said they had an opportunity to foul the player in the middle of the park and that they should have taken it.

“So you can see his mind set that there’s a clear deliberate and cynical ploy to bring someone down, albeit outside the box.”