Philippe Clement claims “the whole of Europe” was talking about the controversial penalty decision in the League Cup final, while Brendan Rodgers believes “there's always a narrative” after Celtic's game against Rangers.
Scottish FA boss Willie Collum admitted on Thursday that the Light Blues were denied a legitimate spot-kick against Celtic at Hampden Park and described VAR Alan Muir and his assistant Frank Connor's role in the decision as “really poor” and “unacceptable”.
With Sunday's score 3-3 in extra-time, referee John Beaton called a foul outside the Hoops' penalty area when Celtic defender Liam Scales tackled Gers winger Vaclav Cerny.
Despite television replays – and a VAR review – showing the foul was inside the area, the on-field decision was not changed and, after the free-kick failed, Celtic won 5-4 on penalties.
Rangers manager Clement spoke of a moment that will “stick in the back of our heads for the rest of our lives” as he looked to move into the league business.
The Belgian said: “It's difficult because after the game you feel that the rules of the game are not respected.
“Many times there is a gray area in decision-making. This time there was no gray zone, that is clear to everyone.
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Sky Sports News' Gordon Duncan with the latest from Ibrox after Collum admits Rangers should have been awarded a penalty against Celtic in their League Cup final defeat
“And there is no one in the world who has a different view of it.
“It was good that Willie Collum was transparent, open and honest about what happened and his ideas about the situation. It was really clear.
“In the end it doesn't help the result because it's a game-changing moment, but we appreciate the honesty and everyone at the club hopes that Willie is not alone in his fight for a better standard, but that everyone at the top of the SFA also has the same ambition to things improve, because not only does Rangers lose a game like that, it's really bad publicity for Scottish football.
“And the whole of Europe is talking about what happened in this final and it's a shame, because two good teams played good football with everything that every fan wants in a game, with quality, intensity, relentlessness, with everything.
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Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell discusses Sunday's League Cup final and Rangers' penalty claims for Celtic's Liam Scales' foul on Vaclav Cerny
“And there was much more talk about the decisive moment of the game. So, too bad for Scottish football.
“But it's really important for us now to stop thinking about it because we have a very important game against Dundee tomorrow (Saturday) and I've spoken to the players about that this week, you can't think about what happened.
“We have to focus now on what we have been doing and do it against Dundee and get the three points.
“We don't have the luxury of other people having to stay at that (final) moment.
“The fans have this opportunity. They can do it, but I also hope that they see how hard this team works, what they do on the field and that they will support them as they have done brilliantly in these last few games.
“And that doesn't change because of what happened in the final.”
Rodgers: There is always a narrative
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Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers discusses the aftermath of Sunday's League Cup final win over Rangers, their rivals' penalty misses, human error with VAR and targeting a home triple
Brendan Rodgers says there is “always a story” after Old Firm games, but insists his side are just focusing on winning and continuing their success.
The Celtic manager is now in the dugout for 20 games against Rangers, losing just one.
“I always feel like there's a story after every game,” he said.
“Whether it was, it should have been a penalty, whether it was a red card or not, even the penalties that are awarded when he is offside! There is always something in the narrative.
“I can understand why you might look at it. When I see it and evaluate it, I think from the pictures I've seen it's probably given for the initial foul that was obviously not on the line, but of course then it goes further and goes into the penalty aspect.
Celtic beat Rangers to win the League Cup
“The bottom line is that whatever happens in the game, you have to get on with it.
“For us, we can only control what we can, which is to go on and win.” There's always something after a Celtic Rangers game.
“I think it's always been recognized that even with VAR there will be human error.
“Guys are not machines, they are looking for a calmer position, not one under pressure, but it's still about interpretation.
“Obviously one of the VARs sensed the initial foul happened far from the incident when he moved on.
“That's his specialized opinion as an official. There's always going to be that element of human error and sometimes it works for you and sometimes it works against you.”
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