ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes last night slated referee Bobby Madden for failing to award his side a late penalty for handball during yesterday's 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park and suggested his side, might have claimed the three points had it been given.
Celtic duly clung on to record their first win in five matches, but the Pittodrie outfit were on the ascendancy with 10 minutes left when Niall McGinn's free kick struck Kris Commons on the arm. McInnes said it was a clear penalty and was bemused by the official's decision to wave the protests away.
McInnes said: "I've seen it again and Commons put both his hands up to stop the ball, the shot is from 10 yards. Whether it's going in or not is irrelevant. He can't put his hands up there when he's got an opportunity to get out the way or use his body.
"The referee should see that. If we get that, we've still got time to win the game. I told the referee I was disappointed it wasn't given, but he never gave me an explanation."
Ahead of Celtic's trip to take on Red Bull Salzburg on Europa League duty this week, his opposite number Ronny Deila handed debuts to new signings Stefan Scepovic, John Guidetti and Aleksandar Tonev.
"They need time, they haven't played matches for a while," said Deila. "But I was thrilled about what they did today when they have just been training for a week."
Guidetti wasn't registered in time to play in the Europa League ties, but the Swede is hopeful his new team-mates will progress to enable him to play in the knockout stages. He said: "With the support here, I don't think any team will fancy playing us. When they get behind the team it's a frightening place to come."
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