Source: Team_Talk
Lennon unhappy with penalty reversal
eil Lennon was furious with referee Dougie McDonald for going back on his decision to give Celtic a penalty in their 2-1 win at Dundee United.[LNB] With an enthralling SPL encounter level at 1-1 in the second half, after David Goodwillie had cancelled out Gary Hooper's opener before the break, McDonald pointed to the spot after Dusan Pernis dived at the feet of Hooper to prevent him going through on goal.[LNB]However, after consulting his assistant, Steven Craven, McDonald gave a bounce ball in the box.[LNB]McDonald then had words with an angry Lennon before his stand-side assistant Charlie Smith alerted the referee to missiles that had been thrown on the pitch.[LNB]Hooper scored a dramatic winner two minutes from time to extend the Parkhead side's winning run in the SPL to eight games ahead of next week's clash with SPL leaders Rangers.[LNB]However, after the game Lennon was still seething about the penalty incident.[LNB]"He's given the penalty and for me he can't change his mind," he said.[LNB]"I didn't get an explanation until the referee came over and spoke to me.[LNB]"His explanation was that his linesman had a better view of it and the keeper had played the ball.[LNB]"I find that unacceptable. He looked pretty adamant to me when he gave the penalty. He got a really good look at it.[LNB]"Looking at the replay Pernis has got a touch on the ball but he has taken Garry as well.[LNB]"There was a long, long delay between him awarding the penalty and him allowing the bounce ball.[LNB]"It was a very strange decision and we could have got a couple of other penalties as well."[LNB]With some sarcasm, the Hoops boss added: "But I suppose you have to put it down to another honest mistake by the referee."[LNB]Lennon looked forward to the forthcoming game against Rangers who are top of the table over Celtic on goal difference after beating Motherwell 4-1 on Saturday.[LNB]He said: "It was one of the best performances I've seen since I've been in charge of the team in terms of attacking, quality football.[LNB]"I'm very proud of the team and despite a very controversial decision going against us, they never let their heads go down, we kept creating chances and we got what we deserved.[LNB]"Some of our stuff was breathtaking and I couldn't ask for any more (ahead of next week).[LNB]"I watched Rangers on Saturday and they were very impressive in the second half.[LNB]"Both teams have shown a tremendous level of consistency so far and something has to give next week and it will be interesting."[LNB]Hooper claimed a penalty should have been awarded in the build-up to the Pernis incident when he appeared to be hauled back by Garry Kenneth.[LNB]He said: "I thought it was a penalty, the keeper got me first then the ball but the linesman said he just got the ball. It was a bad decision.[LNB]"There were two penalties. If I had gone down (after the challenge by Kenneth) it was a penalty and the second one was a penalty as well.[LNB]"It doesn't matter now, we got the three points and we are looking forward to the Rangers game."[LNB]Hooper claims he has Rangers striker Kenny Miller in his sights.[LNB]The former Scunthorpe striker scored his second and third SPL goals of the season and is eight league goals behind his Old Firm rival.[LNB]He said: "The target for me is to beat him (Miller).[LNB]"The gaffer got me in to score goals and I've got three in the league in two games."[LNB]United boss Peter Houston was unhappy with McDonald's overall performance and with the Celtic celebrations at the winner.[LNB]"I don't think it was a penalty at all," he said. "I think the referee was quick to give it but great credit to the assistant, he saw it clearly wasn't a penalty.[LNB]"But Dougie was very inconsistent today.[LNB]"He is quite quick to give penalties against us, we've had it in the past and no doubt we will have it in the future."[LNB]The Scotland assistant manager continued: "Celtic backroom staff celebrated as if they had won the league.[LNB]"I'm going to start running 30 yards down the track when we score a goal.[LNB]"Celtic seem to get away with it. But any time I go out my dugout I get the fourth official pulling me back but watch me running down the track the next time we score - I will probably get sent to the stand."
