GRAHAM ALEXANDER was disappointed in the decision of referee Euan Anderson to award Celtic the free-kick that led to Celtic’s winning goal as his men went down bravely in Glasgow.
The Motherwell manager was proud of his men as they put up a battling display against Celtic, with the set-piece that ultimately led to Tom Rogic’s winner their undoing in the end.
Alexander was angered by what he saw as the soft award of the free-kick that led to the goal as Callum Slattery was adjudged to have fouled Rogic on the edge of the area, and says that it was the inconsistency of the official’s display that had irked him.
“I always get frustrated at bits and pieces but I thought the game-winning moment was the wrong decision,” Alexander said.
“I didn't think it was a free-kick. He set the bar early with what sort of challenge would be okay, which is fine, every ref interprets things differently, but then you take that as the bar.
“I didn't think that should be given, due to other challenges that were going on early on. I thought it was cheap free-kick to give but it's a match-winning free-kick.
“They are a good team, they don't need any favours. I'm not suggesting it was a favour but I just thought it was a cheap decision. Celtic showed their quality with the taking of it.”
Alexander was once again cautioned by the referee for his protestations, but he hopes that the decision doesn’t overshadow what was a decent showing from his players.
“I don't know [why he booked me], it was hard to hear him from eight yards away when he showed me the yellow,” he said.
“I've got to fight for my team and I didn't use any bad language. I remonstrated but I remonstrated from 50 yards away.
“But I don't want to take any reflection from how my team performed. It shows good signs that we are trying to progress our mentality and approach, when we play whatever opponent, we are always going to give it our best shot to win.”
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