Sunday 19 April 2015 18:27, UK
Celtic boss Ronny Deila criticised assistant official Alan Muir for missing a controversial penalty incident in his side's 3-2 William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Inverness, which ended their treble hopes.
Delia’s side were 1-0 up when it looked as though Caley defender Josh Meekings used an arm to prevent a Leigh Griffiths header going into the net from just a yard out.
However, Muir, who was stationed behind the goal, and referee Steven McLean were unresponsive to Celtic appeals for a penalty which, if converted, would have added to Virgil van Dijk's opener for the Parkhead men and would have probably reduced the Highlanders to 10 men.
The Hoops manager claimed the game would have been "finished" with his side looking forward to the final against Falkirk on May 30.
The game turned further against the Scottish League Cup winners early in the second half, however, when 'keeper Craig Gordon was sent off for tripping Marley Watkins to concede a penalty, which Greg Tansey scored past replacement 'keeper Lukasz Zaluska.
Celtic substitute John Guidetti's free-kick cancelled out Inverness striker Edward Ofere's low drive in the 96th minute but full-back David Raven grabbed the winner for the Highlanders with four minutes of extra-time remaining.
Afterwards the Celtic boss questioned how the officials behind the goal could have missed such an incident.
He said: "I don't think I have to say much about that. I think everybody saw what happened. Maybe we need seven referees? One on each post.
"Their one task is to look at what is happening in the six-yard box and on the goal line. You can't blame the main referee for that. Referees make mistakes as well but this mistake was very hard to take.
"It's a hard blow for the boys and for us. We're very disappointed and we had control 11 versus 11 and we should have killed the game off."
Deila had no complaints about Gordon's dismissal, however.
He added: "That was okay. The rule is as it is. I think the rule is very hard, but that's nothing to do with the ref.
"The other decision is quite different.
"It was a very difficult situation. A 50-50 challenge and he came out a little too late."
Griffiths said he was baffled by the blunder he claims cost his side a place in the final.
He said: "It's one big decision that has changed the game for us. Everyone will tell you the same.
"You would need to ask the referee and the assistant behind the goal why they thought it wasn't a penalty.
"I asked the centre-half during the game if it hit his hand or his face and he said 'hand, 100 per cent'.
"We have the best penalty taker in the country in Kris Commons so I have no doubt he would have tucked it away and they are down to 10 men and have a mountain to climb."
While hopes of a domestic clean sweep are over, Deila is looking for the Scottish Premiership leaders to keep on course for the title against Dundee at Dens Park on Wednesday night.
The former Stromsgodset boss said: "It's a tough world and that's why it's so hard to get a treble. It's small details that can make you fail and today it was a small detail that made it hard for us.
“We have to get that behind us as quickly as possible and focus on Wednesday. Good teams bounce back quickly.
"Everybody is very disappointed today, but I've had disappointing moments before in football. It's how you handle it and what you learn from it before you move on that's important."
