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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Josh McCafferty

Derek McInnes hits out at decision which led to Celtic's winner

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has hit out at a decision in the build-up to Celtic's winner yesterday.

The Parkhead side progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup courtesy of a 2-1 win, with goals coming from captain Callum McGregor and the returning Daizen Maeda.

McInnes, however, wasn't happy with Maeda's strike because he felt his team, not Celtic, should have had a free kick in the lead-up to it.

Auston Trusty and Marley Watkins challenged for a ball out wide in the home side's half, and referee Nick Walsh blew for a free-kick.

Celtic took it quickly, progressed up the park with vigour, and netted what turned out to be an eventual winner.


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McInnes fumed post-match: "It's actually a free kick to us," he told BBC Scotland.

"I've seen it back again, I was right in front of it.

"Not even that, to not even give the free kick, the right decision, to us, they [Celtic] take it 20 yards from where the offence was, and they're way out the other side before we get a chance to settle.

"Maybe sounding a bit churlish to choose on that in the build-up to the goal, but if the referee gets the right decision, 30 seconds later, the ball isn't in our net."

Although the 53-year-old wasn't pleased with a pivotal decision at such a crucial time in the match, he can be pleased with how his team approached the game and gave the holders something to think about with a high press, particularly in the second half.

In the end, though, Celtic's quality shone through as they confirmed their place in that for Monday evening's fifth-round draw.

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