I got it wrong over Celtic bench ‘snub’
Bhoys didn’t blank me, admits McGhee
MOTHERWELL manager Mark McGhee last night moved to dilute the bad blood that surfaced between himself and Ronny Deila at the end of Celtic’s 2-1 victory at Fir Park.
McGhee refused Deila’s offer of a postmatch handshake at Fir Park before claiming in his post-match press conference that he had ‘no idea’ of what the incident had been about.
However, he later moved to take responsibility for the flashpoint, insisting he had resolved the issue with Deila before the Celtic party left the stadium.
He said: ‘What actually happened was, at the beginning of the game, I felt as if when I went over to shake hands with the Celtic staff, they blanked me.
‘I’ve spoken to Ronny about it and it was a total, 100-per-cent misunderstanding on my part, and I accept totally he didn’t see me. That’s fine, and he and I have shaken hands.’
While he insists he has no lingering issue with Deila, McGhee was unhappy with the decision that saw a Scott McDonald goal disallowed just before the Australian striker scored an equalising goal against his former club.
‘I think we were beaten by the championselect and they deserved to win the game. But I think we could have got something out of it. We are very aggrieved that, once again, a decision is given against us.
‘I’ve watched it over and over and I know the linesman only has one look at it but, for me, it’s onside and it should have stood. We feel we have been a wee bit undone but we don’t have any complaints.’
Celtic sent in first-team coach John
Kennedy for the postmatch press briefing and he admitted Celtic are almost there in their pursuit of a fifth successive Premiership title.
The win, coupled with Aberdeen’s defeat to Hearts on Friday night, means Celtic now have an eight-point lead and a vastly-superior goal difference going into the post-split schedule.
‘It was a massive three points for us,’ he said. ‘Our objective was to make sure we go an extra three points clear. We are sitting in a very good position but will take nothing for granted.
‘Eight points clear with five games to go, I would like to think we can see the job through.’
Celtic now turn their attention to the Scottish Cup and next Sunday’s Hampden semi-final against Rangers.
‘Confidence is massive going into these games,’ continued Kennedy. ‘But it is going to be tough. It always is with Celtic and Rangers. Anything can happen. We need to make sure we are focused.’
While two-goal Leigh Griffiths recovered from an early penalty miss to emerge as the match-winner, there was despair for Motherwell goalkeeper Connor Ripley, who made a string of saves before gifting the winner to the Celtic striker with a quite horrible error that saw the ball slip through both his hands and legs.
‘We have no complaints about Connor,’ said McGhee. ‘We forgive him because he has been fantastic for us.’
On-loan Middlesbrough No1 Ripley said: ‘I’m gutted, I feel like I’ve let the lads and the club down.
‘It’s not like me to let something go through my hands and legs like that.
‘The saves I made in the match are irrelevant now because everyone will remember my mistake. That just comes with being a goalkeeper.
‘I’m devastated but I’ll learn from it.’