Todd Cantwell has claimed that Celtic did not win against Rangers on Saturday, instead insisting that he and his teammates lost the fixture.
Celtic took a massive step towards retaining their cinch Premiership title as a thrilling 3-2 Old Firm derby victory saw them move 12 points clear of nearest rivals Rangers.
Michael Beale got the strong start to the game he had wanted from his Rangers side and they were perhaps unlucky to see an Alfredo Morelos ‘goal’ chalked off for an infringement, but they found themselves behind after 26 minutes through a close-range finish from Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi.
Ibrox skipper James Tavernier levelled just before the break with a stunning free-kick, met with total silence as no away fans were present, but Furuhashi took advantage of a Ben Davies mistake in the 62nd minute to grab his second.
Another calamitous error by fellow Ibrox defender John Souttar, starting for only the second time this season, allowed Portuguese winger Jota to score a simple third in the 73rd minute before Tavernier reduced the deficit with a header to ensure a tension-filled end to the match.
Reflecting on the fixture, Cantwell took to Instagram saying: "The disappointment is real, we lost the game they didn’t win it.
"We continue to stick together and build in the right direction, this is a project and an exciting one. Stick together as one."
Rangers will write to the Scottish Football Association asking for an explanation as to why Alfredo Morelos’ first-half ‘goal’ at Celtic Park on Saturday was ruled out.
The Gers striker had the ball in the net from a corner but referee Kevin Clancy controversially judged that the Colombian had fouled Hoops right-back Alistair Johnston when it looked like both players were tangling with each other.
Afterwards, Beale, who suffered his first league defeat as Gers boss, said: “If you look at Alfredo’s shirt, it is twisted around his back and I don’t think their player is trying to play the ball, only one player is trying to play the ball.
“There’s a lot going on with the two players but why pick on ours at the moment?
“Kevin sees it there and then. I asked him if it was for a foul on (goalkeeper) Joe Hart and he said it was for a foul by Alfredo, that’s what I am disappointed with.
“The guys in the (VAR) studio are watching it back, all I would ask is if you look at the number on Alfredo’s shirt, who is pulling who?
“One is trying to play the ball, the other isn’t. It was a big decision in the game.”
