John Hartson hits back at Kris Boyd’s Celtic claims

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Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd claimed that Scottish Premiership champions Celtic were suffering from a dressing room split.

Celtic might have battered St Johnstone 6-0 away from home on Sunday but was this simply an exercise in papering over the cracks?

Their six-goal haul at McDiarmid Park is certainly one of the few examples this season in which Brendan Rodgers’ side have played to their potential. A lack of creativity and unpredictability has been questioned by fans and pundits alike, with poor defeats against Salzburg and Kilmarnock still fresh in the memory.

But John Hartson does not share Kris Boyd’s view that some dodgy recent form is indicative of a behind-the-scenes split.

Speaking to the BBC after the 2-1 loss at Killie, the former Rangers striker claimed “there is a divide in the dressing-room, there is no doubt about it. It was quite clear.”

Now, Hartson has hit back.

“Not everyone gets on all the time. At every club I have ever been at there have been arguments and heated discussions at half-time, at full-time, on the training ground. It happens,” the Welshman, who won three league titles with Celtic between 2001 and 2006, told the Evening Times.

“It’s life. It doesn’t mean you have a split in your dressing room.

“I just think Kris has a platform now because he has his eyes on a career as a pundit and columnist when his playing time comes to an end.

“And for that you need to have an opinion and have something to say so this is him looking to get a few tongues wagging – and irritate Celtic in the process. I think Kris is looking to rattle Celtic’s cage. He is wanting to noise people up.”

Hartson pointed to the joyous celebrations at St Johnstone on Sunday, after James Forrest scored four times in a remarkable first-half display, as evidence of the enduring team spirit at the reigning champions.

With the likes of Dedryck Boyata and Olivier Ntcham rumoured to be keen to leave, and speculation over Brendan Rodgers’ relationship with chief executive Peter Lawell, you can see why Boyd would come to such a conclusion.