Ref’s wrong decision turned match against us, says frustrated Sibbick
Hearts defender Toby Sibbick cried foul last night, insisting that the goal that started Celtic’s charge to victory should never have stood.
Daizen Maeda shot home to give the Hoops their equaliser at Celtic Park and from there they never looked back, running out 4-1 winners.
However, the Englishman insisted referee Don Robertson should have awarded his side a free-kick for Callum Mcgregor’s foul on him during the build-up. “It’s a blatant one,” he said. “I haven’t seen it back yet but he’s came from the side or behind me and just swiped my legs and got the ball.
“I thought the ref was going to give it but he didn’t and they went down the other end and scored.
“It was a key moment at 1-0, we were defending well, they didn’t have space to play.
“If the ref gives that as a foul then we get a set piece and it’s a goal scoring chance for us.
“But they’ve got the quality to go down the other end and score.
“I tried to talk to the ref but wasn’t trying to listen. He said he won the ball but I think it’s a foul.
“Even the second goal, I think Gino ( Josh Ginnelly) kicked it on to their player for our throw in but he gave it to them.
“Trying to talk to the ref is tough and, with the crowd behind them as well, he’s going to get influenced. It’s a tough one really.”
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson echoed his player’s frustration.
“It is a free kick to be honest. I have seen it again and am pretty sure you will agree,” he said.
“These key decisions when you come here, you have got to get them. That was the disappointment with the ref.
“I thought it was a pretty simple one to get and he doesn’t get it right.
“The second one for the goal is the right decision – borderline but right – so those two goals, one he has got right, one he has got wrong and that is the difference. So I am frustrated about the first goal, yes.”
Neilson revealed, however, he chose to keep his counsel – at least on the pitch.
“To be honest, it is not worth it.
“I will just keep my mouth shut. We have a big game in a couple of weeks.”
There was one bright spot for Hearts supporters on the day with the trio of John Souttar, Cammy Devlin and Michael Smith all on the substitutes’ bench boosting hopes they will be fit in time for the Scottish Cup Final.
“They were never going to take any part in the game, we just brought them here to have them part of the group,” he said.
Celtic midfielder David Turnbull, meanwhile, is hoping to be part of a full celebration when the Hoops play Dundee United at Tannadice in midweek.
In the starting line up for the first time since the League Cup Final last December, he has not enjoyed the easiest of campaigns.
“It’s been tough going at times for me but it has been a great season for everybody at the club. Beating Hearts was massive because the three points puts us in a good position.
“Now we are really looking forward to going to Dundee United. It is a tough test but we are going there full of confidence and hopefully wrap things up.”
■ Former Celtic and Scotland captain Scott Brown has retired from playing.
Brown, capped 55 times for Scotland, won 22 domestic honours with Celtic, including nine successive league titles, during 14 successful years before leaving for Aberdeen at the end of last season.
He took to social media to say: “I am excited for the next stage of my career, fully focusing on becoming a manager as I make the switch from the pitch to the dugout.”