ROBBIE BLASTS MAD DECISION
book thrown at me, so I can’t say too much about this one.
“But it’s offside. He’s ahead of the ball. The linesman has got to see it.
“I’ve seen it, everyone would agree. The linesman had a brilliant view.
“I tried to speak to the officials but it’s a waste of time. You end up just banned or getting yellow or red cards.
“I’m sure the linesman and referee will have a look at it, they will WhatsApp each other and they’ll move on to the next game.”
Neilson, who ended up with a yellow card, was equally incensed with Madden’s decision to stop the game after Jota pulled up injured – with Hearts on a dangerous counter attack.
He added: “I’d end up going to jail if I said what I really think about it.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
“The boy pulls his hamstring and the referee stops the game and then gives them the ball back when we’re going to counter-attack.
“But that’s Scottish football, you’re in Glasgow.
“Nobody cares do they? They just move on, that’s what happens in football.
“It will fill a couple of lines tomorrow and then it’s Livingston on Sunday.
“I said my piece after we were at Ibrox and then I had to write a report [to the SFA] to explain what I meant by it. I got chased up about it.
“I can’t be bothered doing that any more to be honest with you.
“It’s football in Scotland. It shouldn’t be like that but that’s the way it goes.
“We have to come here to Celtic Park and play doubly well to get the points. Hearts winger Barrie McKay was hit by a plastic bottle as he took a corner in front of the area occupied by the Green Brigade. And Neilson added: “I only found out coming down the tunnel when somebody came and asked him if he got hit on the back with a bottle.
“I don’t know the ins and outs so I’m not going to say too much about it but it’s disappointing.”
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou brushed off Neilson’s comments about refereeing decisions costing Hearts and insisted his side was well worth the victory.
The Australian said: “It’s a goal, mate.
“I’ll let it go and I’ll let our performances speak for themselves.
“If people think the referee decided this game, well, that’s their analysis.
“I’m pleased. We started the game well and played it on our terms.
“We lacked a bit of a ruthless edge and we just couldn’t get that second goal.
“We lost some players during the game which I think disrupted it.”
Celtic will have Cameron Carter-Vickers back for the visit to Tannadice on Sunday after the Spurs loanee missed the game due to family circumstances.
And the defender will be needed as the injuries mount up.
Postecoglou added: “We will get a round-up from the medical people.
“Tony felt something in his ankle which is disappointing because he has been outstanding for us.
“With the others, I’m not really sure but we’ll see how they come through.
“It’s always a worry but that’s why we’ve got a squad.”