Philippe Clement claims “the whole of Europe” has been talking about the controversial no-penalty decision in the League Cup final, while Brendan Rodgers believes there is “always a narrative” after the Celtic vs Rangers game.
The Scottish FA's head of referees, Willie Collum, admitted on Thursday that the Light Blues were denied a legitimate kick against Celtic at Hampden Park and described VAR Alan Muir and his assistant Frank Connor as -concluded as “very poor” and “inadequate”. .
With Sunday's game level at 3-3 in extra-time, referee John Beaton blew a foul just outside the Hoops box when Celtic defender Liam Scales tackled Gers player Vaclav Cerny.
Despite television replays – and a VAR review – showing the foul was inside the area, the on-field decision was not overturned and, after the free kick came to nil , Celtic won 5-4 on penalties.
Rangers boss Clement spoke of the moment “that will stay in the back of our heads for the rest of our lives” as he looks to move on to league business.
The Belgian said: “It's difficult because you feel after the game that the rules of the game are not being followed.
“Sometimes there is a gray area in decisions. This time there was no gray area at all, that is very clear to everyone.
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Sky Sports News' Gordon Duncan with the latest news from Ibrox after Collum admitted Rangers should have had a penalty against Celtic in their League Cup final defeat.
“And there is no one in the world who has a different opinion about that.
“It has been good that there has been transparency from Willie Collum, and openness and honesty about what happened and his views on the situation. He was really clear about that.
“It won't help the result in the end, because it is a decisive moment, but we appreciate the honesty and everyone at the club hopes that Willie is not alone in the -his fight to get better standards, but everyone will be at the top. The SFA also has a similar desire to make things better.
“And the whole of Europe has been talking about what happened in this final and that's sad, because it was two good teams playing a good game of football with all something every fan wants in a game, with quality, intensity, non-stop, with everything.
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Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell discusses Sunday's League Cup final and Rangers' appeals for a penalty for Celtic's Liam Scales' foul on Vaclav Cerny
“And there's been a lot more talk about the timing of the game. So that's a shame for Scottish football.
“But for us, it's very important now to stop thinking about it, because we have a very important game against Dundee tomorrow (Saturday) and that's what I spoke to the players about this week, you can't keep thinking about what happened.
“We have to focus now on what we have been doing and do that in the game against Dundee and take the three points.
“We don't have the luxury that other people have to live in that (last) moment.
“Fans have this opportunity. They can do that, but I also hope they see what this team is working on, what they are doing on the pitch, and support them as they have been doing great in these last couple of games.
“And that doesn't change because of what happened in the final.”
Rogers: There is always a statement
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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers talks about defeating Rangers in Sunday's League Cup final, not conceding a penalty to their rivals, human error with VAR and aiming for a domestic treble.
Brendan Rodgers says there is “always a narrative” after Old Firm games but wants his side to focus on winning and building on their success.
The Celtic manager has now been in the dugout for 20 games against Rangers, losing just one.
“I always feel like there's some kind of statement after every game,” he said.
“Whether that should be a penalty, if it's a red card, it shouldn't be, even penalties that are awarded when it's offside! There is always something in the narrative.
“I can understand why you might be looking at it. When I see it and evaluate it I think from the images I've seen it might have been given for the first fake that was clearly not on the line, but of course he then moves forward and goes to the penalty area.
Celtic beat Rangers to win the League Cup
“The bottom line is no matter what happens in the game, you have to keep going.
“For us, we can only control as much as we can and that was to go on and win the game. There is always something going on after a game at Celtic Rangers.
“I think it's always been acknowledged that there will be human error even with VAR.
“The boys are not machines, they look in a more relaxed situation than the game under pressure but it is still about interpretation.
“Obviously one of the VAR guys felt that the first feature happened away from the incident when it went on.
“That's his specialty as an officer. There's always that element of human error and sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against you.”
