NEIL Lennon was scathing about Turkish referee Bulent Yildirim last night for giving Udinese the late penalty which denied Celtic a Europa League victory at Parkhead.
Yildirim ruled that Gary Hooper had blocked Neuton Piccoli’s run when the Celtic striker seemed to do little wrong.
Almen Abdi buried the 87th-minute penalty to cancel out Ki Sung-Yueng’s early spot kick for Celtic to give the Italians a 1-1 draw. Celtic have only one point after two games and next face Rennes in France on October 20.
Lennon called the referee’s award “shocking” and said that if Yildirim had done his job Celtic would have won.
“It was a disgraceful decision,” the manager said. “Gary Hooper did all he could to get out of the way. Ours was definitely a penalty but he deliberated for 30 seconds before giving it. Gary is very upset and very angry, as all of the players are, because they put so much into the game and to lose the three points because of a decision like that is very hard to take.”
He said it was “rubbish” to suggest Celtic had been too cavalier in going for a second goal rather than trying to protect their lead. “You can pick over the nuts and bolts about how you concede but if the referee had done his job it wouldn’t have happened. That decision will prove crucial. It’s cost us two points we would have had if it wasn’t for a shocking decision. We don’t seem to get the breaks in Europe that other teams get.”
Lennon said he would make no attempt to speak to the official. “Is there any point? There’s not much he can do. He can see the replay now and make up his own mind.”
Ki was also critical of the referee. “It was a ridiculous decision that cost us,” said the Korean. “I think Gary must be very angry. He never touched him. I saw it three times and it was a ridiculous decision.”
Celtic thought they had a victory against a weakened Italian team -- Udinese started with only four of what is recognised as their strongest side -- after Lennon dropped goalkeeper Fraser Forster and defender Glenn Loovens following poor recent displays. Lukasz Zaluska played in goal, Charlie Mulgrew was alongside Daniel Majstorovic, with Victor Wanyama drafted in to play in front of the back four.
“I was delighted with the defence,” Lennon said. “I was delighted with the whole team. People have made a lot of Udinese picking a young team but we had a young team too. I hope this sends out a message that the group is still wide open. We have to win our home games and if it wasn’t for that decision we would have tonight. But we are still playing the right way.”
Francesco Guidolin, the Udinese coach, was pleased that his side remain joint-top of the group with Atletico Madrid. “I was very happy because we showed a lot of character,” he said. “I came here prepared to take a lot of flak this evening, I had prepared a bullet-proof vest. But I stand by my decisions and I’m happy with the draw.
“I never talk about referees’ decisions. Celtic still have a chance of going through. We are only at the beginning of the group.”
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