Maloney: Referee got it right

Published: 30 Aug 2010 - 13:21:00

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Shaun Maloney insists he did not dive to win Celtic a match-winning penalty against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday. In the 73rd minute and with the SPL encounter goalless, the Parkhead striker went down in the box following a Steven Saunders challenge and referee Dougie McDonald pointed to the spot before showing the Motherwell player a red card. Daryl Murphy converted the penalty to secure the three points and afterwards Well boss Craig Brown claimed that Maloney had gone down "very, very easily". However, the Celtic star rejected Brown's analysis. "I was running in on goal and I could see one of the defenders out the corner of my eye," Maloney told the Evening Times. "I took a touch as I was preparing to shoot and there was definitely contact - and if the ball isn't taken then I think it is a pretty easy decision for the referee. "There was certainly enough contact made to put me to ground. "It all happened very quickly but I can only feel that it was a foul and that it was pretty evident."