MX23RW : Friday, April 2 16:07:13| >> :120:12563:12563:
Mar 21, 2021 at 12pm UK at Celtic Park
CelticCeltic
1-1
RangersRangers
Elyounoussi (23')
Edouard (27'), Brown (55'), Laxalt (66')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Morelos (38')
Morelos (61')

John Kennedy: 'We deserved a penalty against Rangers'

John Kennedy: 'We deserved a penalty against Rangers'
© Reuters
The Celtic interim boss felt Mohamed Elyounoussi should have had a spotkick instead of being booked for diving.

Interim boss John Kennedy claimed referee Willie Collum denied Celtic a clear-cut penalty in their 1-1 draw with champions Rangers at Parkhead.

Hoops attacker Mohamed Elyounoussi headed in an Odsonne Edouard cross in the 23rd minute of the Scottish Premiership encounter but minutes later the French forward was booked for diving in the box after a challenge by Gers defender Borna Barisic.

Colombia striker Alfredo Morelos levelled in the 38th minute with his first goal against Celtic and, although the home side had the best of the game, Steven Gerrard's men made it 33 league games unbeaten to keep the 20-point gap between the teams intact.

Kennedy said of the penalty claim:  "It had a massive say in the game. I've seen it back and I've spoken to Odsonne.

"If you get any sort of contact in the box, when a player comes flying at you at that speed, comes recklessly in, knocks you off balance, touches you enough to go over – that's what happened there.

"If he doesn't go over, he is on the ball, he scores the goal.

"There is no need for him to go down, he is a goal scorer, he wants as many goals as possible. He is not that type of player.

"I haven't had a chance to speak to the referee. In games like that, these decisions are massive, really important.

"Willie will have his opinion on it, other people might think differently but we are sure it's a penalty.

Celtic v Rangers – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park
Mohamed Elyounoussi dives to head Celtic in front in the 1-1 draw with Rangers.

"So we feel aggrieved that we didn't get a penalty kick, we have to accept that and look at the bigger picture of the performance which was good.

"It was a high level performance. I thought we were dominant most of the game and scored a really great goal, which we were pleased with and disappointed with the goal we conceded. Overall pleased, and the attitude was terrific."

The Celtic players put Old Firm rivalries aside before the game. Rangers players had decided not to take the knee before kick-off in support of Gers midfielder Glen Kamara and the Celtic players did likewise.

The Finland international claimed he had been subject to a racist slur by Ondrej Kudela during the Europe League defeat by Slavia Prague at Ibrox on Thursday night.

Celtic v Rangers – Scottish Premiership – Celtic Park
Rangers' Alfredo Morelos heads the equaliser against Celtic.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown had a quick word with Kamara in the build-up and
substitutes, management and backroom staff of both clubs stood along the touchline in a show of solidarity.

Former Celtic defender Kennedy said: "It is important. This is not about derbies, rivalry, opposition.

"This is about unity coming together, and trying to make a difference.

"It has gone on too long. It seems to happen more and more even though there is more education.

"It is not acceptable. You give someone, or whoever it may be, a punishment for it and that will quickly eradicate it."

ID:440210: cacheID:440210:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7409:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Championship
Scottish Cup
La Liga
Primeira Liga
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Ukrainian Premier League
NIFL Premiership
League of Ireland Premier
Welsh Premier League
Belarusian Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Eerste Divisie
Copa Diego Maradona
Australian A-League
J1 League
Premier League 2 - Div 2
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CRangersRangers33285078106889
2Celtic33209466244269
3Hibernian33168944311356
4Aberdeen331310103231149
5Livingston33128134041-144
6St Johnstone331010133440-640
7St Mirren331010133038-840
8Dundee UnitedDundee Utd33912122943-1439
9Motherwell3398163251-1935
10Ross County3385202659-3329
11Kilmarnock3384213347-1428
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton3369183160-2927

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!