Celtic close the gap to Hearts after a 4-2 win over Livingston.
Celtic had to fight back twice at Livingston after David Martindale’s side took early leads to stun the champions at Almondvale.
Celtic boss Nancy was delighted with the fight his players showed as the Bhoys scored four goals to ensure all three points were taken back to Glasgow as the title race heats up heading into the New Year.
However, Martindale couldn’t hide his penalty pain as he raged about the decision to award the spot kick after a handball by Daniel Finlayson was given to allow Celtic to take a 3-2 lead.
David Martindale says Livingston ‘don’t get that penalty’ after Celtic defeat
The Livingston boss was clearly deflated as Martindale said he didn’t think the penalty award was correct SIX times throughout his post-match interview.
Martindale told Sky Sports, “I thought we could take enough chances in the game to take something from the game. I think it’s a really soft penalty.
“I don’t want to be standing here talking about that, it’s a push in the back for Dan. I don’t think we get that penalty.
Tell us who your MOTM was then Bhoys
“So I think it’s a really, really soft penalty that goes against us. We don’t defend another set play properly.
“Don’t get the first contact, don’t get second contact, and then the game probably goes away from us slightly with Nygren’s finish.
“Sitting watching Celtic against Aberdeen they hit the bar four or five times in a period and we didn’t really quite get that luck today with us.”
Martindale’s Celtic penalty pain continues in strange post-match interview
The Livingston boss was clearly upset (as the video below shows) as he tried to look for the ‘positives’ for his team while still fuming about the Celtic penalty.
Martindale continued, “So I don’t think it’s a penalty because the game could have been a lot closer than what it was.
“It’s a fantastic strike with Nygren. We’ve got to defend our box better at the two set-plays. The one that leads to the penalty, which I don’t think is a penalty.
“And obviously the goal from Nygren, that’s disappointing. There’s a lot of positives within the game as well.
“I felt we posed a real threat. I thought we’d create some good chances ourselves. We took two fantastic goals, like three or four, very good chances in the second half, couple of better chances in the first half.
“In terms of the one we were clean through, I think we should do a wee bit better. Those are the positives within the game.
“Disappointed with the soft penalty and disappointed with Nygren’s goal at the back post.”
David Martindale’s Celtic pain over penalty award. Do you agree with the Livingston boss?
Celtic are now within three points of Hearts with a game in hand and Nancy has a slim chance of taking top spot if they beat Motherwell with more than four goals at Fir Park on the 30th of December.
It’s a slim chance considering Celtic are vulnerable at the back but anything is possible in football.
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