Mor the merrier
Lennon slams referee Clancy for missing blatant handball
Morelos winner and Windass goal clinch a crucial victory for Rangers
CELTIC ...................... 3 HAMILTON ......... 1 PARTICK TH ............ 3 MOTHERWELL . 2 ST JOHNSTONE ..... 0 ABERDEEN ....... 3
NEIL LENNON last night slammed ref Kevin Clancy for denying Hibs a “blatant” penalty as they lost to Rangers.
The Easter Road boss claimed the whistler should have pointed to the spot after David Bates handled with 15 minutes left. Replays backed up
Lennon’s belief his side had been hard done by and it only added to his frustration after Gers came from 1-0 down to win at Easter Road.
The Northern Irishman said: “It’s as clear a handball as you will see. He has leaned into it and the linesman has a great view.
“It’s a disappointing decision. We were sensational but didn’t get what we deserved.
“The referee said he didn’t think it was a penalty.
“So he’s the only one in the ground. He looks to the linesman and the linesman gives that decision.
“There’s no doubt we’ve been done by that decision. You just want officials to get big calls right and that was blatant.
‘“I’ve seen a few handballs but that’s as close as it gets.”
Hibs are now six points behind Rangers after a result Lennon believe didn’t do his side justice.
And he claimed he had never been more on top in a game against Gers – even during his time at Celtic.
He said: “They were battered. I’ve been involved with Celtic – and that was probably the biggest battering I’ve given Rangers.
“They camped in for the second half and we controlled it. I’m delighted with the quality.
“In terms of the game we were outstanding and our standard of play was superb.
“People were asking me before the game is this a marker. I said no.
“The marker is over the course of the season. We’re fourth and there’s still a lot of football to go.
“Rangers have still to play Celtic, we need to go and win in Aberdeen to stay on their coat-tails.
“But six points is nothing at this stage of the season.”
Rangers caretaker Graeme Murty admitted his side put him through the emotional wringer with an unconvincing display.
And he put it down to a confidence-drained squad trying to get back on its feet after the traumas of Pedro Caixinha’s reign.
He said: “Some players here have been pilloried at times, given stick, but they’ve found a way to stand up to it.
“These are still just baby steps on where we want to get to. We have a quick turnaround and some beat-up bodies but I’m delighted with the three points. I endured that more than enjoyed it.
“The lads showed good spirit and a battling nature. Hibs imposed themselves upon us and we reacted for long spells.
“We didn’t deal with the ball well enough to alleviate the pressure.
“As soon as a pass goes astray it affects us for a significant period.
“But wins have a wonderful effect on the changing room. They’re sitting in there agreeing we didn’t hit the heights.
“But winning here while not playing our best, you’d take that.”
On the penalty call, Murty said: “I couldn’t see it but the reaction of the crowd tells me something happened.
“If we’ve got away with one, so be it.”
It was anything but an impressive display from Rangers who were pressed back all night.
Hibs could and should have been out of sight at the break but missed a host of chances. And Murty admits goals from Josh Windass and Alfredo Morelos just before the interval ensured he wasn’t taking the paint off the Easter Road walls.
He said: “The lads saved themselves a little bit from some harsh words.
“They were the first two passages of play where we used the ball properly.
“So they dug themselves out a hole. That wasn’t me, just them using the ball properly. I changed the team -talk, from enduring it to getting more composure. It didn’t happen but we won.”