Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told Dedryck Boyata that he ought to have kept his cool after being sent off in the 1-0 win over St Johnstone in Perth.

The Belgian defender was furious when he felt a foul against him went unpunished in the 90th minute of the game but his tirade towards referee John Beaton resulted in a straight red card.

The dismissal means that Boyata will miss the semi-final meeting against Hearts next month.

With Kristoffer Ajer injured after what appeared to be a hamstring strain picked up in last night’s win, it could mean a dearth of defensive options for the meeting with Craig Levein’s side.

“It is a stupid red card,” said Rodgers. “He has got enough opportunities to not get sent off. It was a very emotional game towards the end.

“Dedryck feels as if he should have got a free-kick and didn’t get it. 

“In fairness to John, he gives him a chance not to get the red card. It’s not what we would want.

“It looks like a hamstring for Kris. We’ll just have to see how long that is going to be and Dedryck will miss whatever it is to be. We move on.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has confirmed that he knocked back an offer to move to China this summer with the Celtic manager also revealing that there have been moves from elsewhere in his time at the Parkhead club.

It is believed the finances on offer were significant with a suggestion of an upfront £8m handshake in addition to a £44m deal on the table.
Asked if there has been a formal approach from China, Rodgers said: “Yes.

“Since I’ve been at Celtic the last couple of years I’ve had a few offers, so that’s no different to any of the others,” said Rodgers.

“My focus is very much on Celtic and being here. And trying to help us rise to the challenge of this season.

“There’s nothing more really to say on that.

“What you know with China is that it’s an awful lot of money.

“But I’ve found happiness here and I spoke with the owners of the club and the board and we found an agreement and we move on.

“I’ve had other opportunities, but I’ve still got this year and another two years on my contract and unless they get fed up with me or something else happens I’m very privileged to be here.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has called upon the SPFL to be swift in coming to a decision about when to arrange the Betfred League Cup semi-finals.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Hampden on October 27 and 28, but both Celtic and Rangers have to play on the Sunday due to their Europa League commitments.

Police will not permit both matches to be played in Glasgow on the same day.

That could leave Murrayfield as an option for one tie but Rodgers has insisted that it isn’t something he will fret about just now.

“I think they will have to look at it now,” he said.

“It obviously presents a problem because there are midweek games the week after. I’ll let them sort that out.”