Guus Hiddink will tolerate the odd act of petulance from Diego Costa as long as the Spain striker does “what he is hired for” and scores goals for Chelsea.

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New Blues interim boss Hiddink revealed sympathy for Costa’s Stamford Bridge plight this term, which has seen the 27-year-old muster just four goals in 21 games.

Costa was criticised for throwing a bib in the direction of Jose Mourinho during Chelsea’s goalless draw with Tottenham on November 29, frustrated at remaining an unused substitute.

Hiddink revealed he once threw the De Graafschap captain’s armband at manager Huib Ruijgrok – and insisted top players prove their value in quickly recovering their cool rather than losing it.

“He’s an emotional guy, and there was something with a bib,” said Hiddink ahead of the visit of Watford on Saturday in his first game back in charge of the Blues.

“When I went back to my home, a long time ago, I was subbed even as captain. I wasn’t used to that. I thought I’d performed, but I threw off my armband at him, saying ‘you make a new captain’. It was also an emotional reaction borne out of frustration.

“Sportsmen are allowed to show a bit of emotion, but they must know five or 10 seconds later that they’re wrong. I think he can focus on what he is able to do.

“I cannot guarantee there won’t be an outburst from him or others, but they have to focus on what they’re good at. What I’ve experienced in the last few days, and with the last game he played – he was in control. He was focused more on what he is hired for here, which is helping to score or assist and not going into other things.”