Scottish League Cup final: Philippe Clement and Brendan Rodgers’ react to fallout after Rangers’ denied penalty vs Celtic | Football News happymamay

Philippe Clement claims “all of Europe” was talking about the controversial decision not to award a penalty in the League Cup final, while Brendan Rodgers believes there was “always a narrative” after Celtic’s match against Rangers.

Scottish FA chief referee Willie Cullum admitted on Thursday that the Light Blues were denied a legitimate penalty against Celtic at Hampden Park, describing the role of VAR Alan Muir and assistant Frank Connor in the decision as “really bad” and “unacceptable”. .

With Sunday’s game tied 3-3 in extra time, referee John Beaton called a foul outside the Hoops’ penalty area when Celtic defender Liam Scales brought down Gers winger Vaclav Cerny.

Although TV replays – and a VAR review – showed the foul was inside the penalty area, the on-field decision remained unchanged, and after the free-kick failed, Celtic went on to win 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 up the league.

The Belgian said: “It is difficult because after the match you feel that the rules of the game are not being followed.

“Often there is a gray area in the decision-making process. This time there was no gray area at all, and that is very clear to everyone.

“There is no one in the world who has another point of view on that.

“It was good to have transparency from Willie Cullum, openness and honesty about what happened and about his thoughts on the situation. He was really clear about it.

He added: “The result does not help in the end, because it is a decisive moment in the match, but we appreciate honesty and everyone in the club hopes that Willie will not be alone in his battle to improve standards, but that everyone will be at the top.” SFA also has the same ambition to make things better. These things can’t happen, because not only is Rangers losing a game like this, it’s also a really bad advertisement for Scottish football.

“The whole of Europe was talking about what happened in this final and that is unfortunate, because there were two good teams playing a good football match with everything every fan wants in a match, with quality, intensity and solidity.” With everything.

“There was a lot of talk about the decisive moment in the match. So this is unfortunate for Scottish football.

“But for us, it’s really important now to stop thinking about it, because we have a very important game against Dundee tomorrow (Saturday) and that’s what I talked about with the players this week, you can’t keep thinking about what happened.”

“We need to focus now on what we have been doing and do that in the game against Dundee and get the three points.

“We don’t have the luxury that others have to stay in that [final] Just a moment.

“The fans have this opportunity. They can do that, but I also hope they see how well this team works, what they do on the pitch, and support them as they did so brilliantly in the last two games.”

“This will not change because of what happened in the final.”

Rodgers: There’s always a story

Brendan Rodgers says there is “always a story” after Old Firm matches but insists his side are just focused on winning and continuing their success.

The Celtic manager has now made 20 appearances against Rangers, losing just one.

“I always feel like there’s some kind of story after every game,” he said.

“Whether it should be a penalty, whether it should be a red card, whether or not even penalties are given when there is offside! There is always something in the narrative.

“I can understand why you might look at it. When I see it and I evaluate it, I think from the pictures I’ve seen that the initial foul was probably given which was obviously not on the goal line, but of course then it just goes on and on. It goes to the penalty side.” .

“The bottom line is that whatever happens in the game, you have to accept it.

“For us, we can only control what we can, which is to go ahead and win the game. There is always something after the Celtic Rangers game.

“I think it’s always a given that even with VAR there will be human error.

“Guys are not machines, they look in a calmer mode rather than the pressure mode in the game, but it is still a matter of interpretation.

“Apparently one of the VAR guys felt the initial foul occurred way back after the incident when it was implemented.

“That’s his expert opinion as an administrator. There’s always going to be an element of human error, and sometimes it works in your favor and sometimes it works against you.”

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