Derek McInnes pulled no punches when asked if Kilmarnock should have had a late penalty against Celtic.
The Ayrshire side battled all the way in the Viaplay Cup semi-final, and a crucial moment in stoppage-time left the Killie boss fuming.
Joe Wright appeared to be bundled over in the box by Giorgos Giakoumakis in the 93rd minute which at 1-0 would have been a match-changing penalty.
But whistler Willie Collum waved away claims, and VAR didn't offer the experienced referee another chance to look at the incident.
McInnes said: "The penalty incident at the end, I feel as though Joe was man-handled.
"There's no way Giakoumakis can actually get to the ball, but he's come through him, with two arms round him. It's a penalty kick.
"The referee had a brilliant view, I don't understand how it's not a penalty.
"I haven't spoken to the referee after the match, what's the point?
"VAR should be speaking to the referee, that's the conversation that needs to be had. Not me speaking to him after the event when Celtic are into a final.
"That incident whether it's pre-VAR or post-VAR, it's a penalty kick. How we can't get to the right decision there I don't know.
"He gets a bit excitable, he's clumsy, it's a striker's challenge with hands round his waist."
McInnes added: "Whoever is in the VAR room has to be big enough to say to the referee to have another look.
"You've got a really experienced referee there, you need experienced people to ask him to have another look.
"What does it take? 30 seconds. If he has another look I think he gives the penalty."
McInnes admits he was proud of his players despite a late goal making it 2-0 which was harsh on his side.
He said: "I had boys playing at Hampden for the first time so you're never really sure.
"I said I would learn a lot about my players, I am delighted with the courage and personality they showed.
"I felt there was a belief, that comes from how we work and the spirit we have.
"There was a real attitude about the team, we tried and we picked our battles well on the whole.
"We made it a proper cup tie, we came here and had a proper go at it, but that's no more than I expected."
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