Celtic were successful in their appeal and the claims have been emphatically denied
Albian Ajeti has hit back at diving claims and insisted he just enjoys the physical side of football.
The Celtic forward has been cleared of diving after a successful appeal by his club.
He was cited by the SFA for simulation after going down in the box during last week’s 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
23-year-old Ajeti, who scored Celtic’s fourth goal on the night, has defended himself and suggested the accusations are just the sort of thing that footballers have to deal with.
In a clip shared by Radio Clyde, Ajeti said: “There are many things that footballers need to hear about which are not true, but this is part of football, this is part of our profession.
“We have to accept it. They can call us whatever they want, because we know what’s going on on the pitch.
“If they want to call me that they should call me that, but it isn’t true.
“As I said this is part of football, we have to accept it and keep the focus on the right things.
“People who know my kind of football know that I like the body contact, quite aggressive players, so don’t think that I’m a proper diver because, as I said, I like the body contact.
“My football is a bit harder than just to dive for a little contact.”
Ajeti, who arrived for £5m from West Ham in the summer, played from the start on Wednesday night as Neil Lennon’s men cut Rangers’ lead at the top of the Premiership to 18 points with a 4-0 win against St Mirren in Paisley.
Tom Rogic gave the visitors a first-half lead, before three goals in quick succession within the final 11 minutes from Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie and David Turnbull sealed the victory.
Celtic return to action on Sunday when they face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
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