After the last time Celtic beat Hearts, Robbie Neilson was absolutely raging, and in turn, Ange Postecoglou wasn’t too happy either.
The Hearts manager said that referees had won the game for Celtic, after Kyogo’s goal settled a 1-0 score line. After another encounter between the sides with incredible drama, it’s Celtic who could feel aggrieved at a decision.
At 2-0 up, Liam Boyce looked more than a whiff offside before slotting it past Joe Hart. However, this wasn’t an opportunity for Ange Postecoglou to rage at referees, and he took the high road once again.
Albeit with a fantastic slice of patter thrown in for good measure.
Asked about the Hearts goal by the BBC [Radio Scotland, 22.00], Ange said: “I think people spend too much time analysing games on the back of refereeing decisions to be honest.
“We know it’s not a precise science unless you want to bring VAR in. But I don’t think the referee decided this game, I think we decided the game with this performance.
“[VAR] will help. It helps the referees, that’s why they’ve brought it in around the world. I’m sure it’ll be brought. inhere at some point and it’ll help referees.
“Ultimately this game of football was decided by our performance. Not by a referee.”
Ange Postecoglou takes the high roads as Celtic performance overcomes Hearts, not referees
If you wanted refereeing drama, there was plenty of it. Ultimately though, can anyone have any real complaints about this turned out?
Hearts could’ve scored a penalty and made it 2 each. Boyce could’ve had his goal chalked off. A range of scenarios might’ve occurred, but it’s Celtic who’ve bagged the 3 points here.
Of course, you know there’ll be discourse about referees for days to come. There always is, and that won’t improve until the standard improves. Or if VAR is brought in, but that’s been divisive in itself on many an occasion, at various levels and tournaments.
So, Postecoglou is right. As if I’m going to tell him he’s wrong after a night like that.
Taking the moral high ground, celebrating a victory and getting a subliminal dig in at annoying rival manager? As post-match press conferences go, you can’t say much fairer than that.
Great night all round then!
Read more: Chris Sutton highlights 2 Celtic players after big Tynecastle performances on dramatic night
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