Monday Feb 25 2008 09:35
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson was infuriated by the referee's decision to award Celtic the free-kick that led to Shunsuke Nakamura scoring the only goal of the game at Love Street on Sunday.
The Japanese star scored with only three minutes left after being brought down by Gary Mason.
The Buddies star said after the match: "I touched the ball and didn't foul Nakamura. I read what he was going to do and got my body in front of his but you had a hunch what was coming when the free-kick was awarded.
"Nakamura has the ability to score from situations like that and that's what makes him so crucial for Celtic."
MacPherson added: "There's no point speaking to referees. They'll give you the bog-standard answer that from where they were standing it was a foul.
"Managers aren't allowed an opinion if it contradicts what the referee has given.
"Everyone knows what Nakamura's capable of. I'd love to say what I thought of the free-kick but I'll confine myself to saying St Mirren's work-rate and discipline were tremendous throughout.
"We took on a Celtic side with greater physical strength than us and, on another day, we might have got at least a point."
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