Brendan Rodgers agreed with Leigh Griffiths' Scotland squad withdrawal

Brendan Rodgers agreed with "brave" Leigh Griffiths' decision to withdraw from the Scotland squad to work on his fitness and stressed that he "has no business" playing unless he is fit.

The Celtic striker pulled out of Alex McLeish's squad for the recent double-header against Israel and Portugal, saying he wanted to focus on his fitness over the international break, but was keen to put himself forward for selection again in the future.

Speaking ahead of their Scottish Premiership fixture against Hibernian, the Celtic boss backed the decision of the 28-year-old, who has 19 caps for his country.

"For me it was the right decision to make, purely on the basis of, if you want to be involved in the top level of sport and play internationally and for a top club, unless you are physically fit you have no business being on the pitch to play," said Rodgers.

"That is very important. If you are going to play for your country or play for a top club like Celtic you have to be physically right going onto the field otherwise you don't do yourself justice or your team-mates and your support."

He added: "Our supporters live their life for this club, the very least they expect from players going on to the field is that they are fit.

"Leigh was brave enough to at least think that he wasn't at the right level to help his country and very importantly help Celtic.

"Unfortunately he has been ill and we will have to see if he is available for tomorrow but the message he sent was he wanted to ensure, like we have always said to the players, that you have to be physically right."

While Griffiths will be assessed for Saturday' game, captain Scott Brown will return to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Defender Kristoffer Ajer (hamstring) remains out alongside long-term absentee Nir Bitton (knee).

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