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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Philippe Clement snaps at BBC live on-air over 'better team' Old Firm question

Philippe Clement was left unhappy with a reporter's opening line of questioning live on-air following Rangers' 2-1 defeat against Celtic today.

Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo put the Ibrox club to the sword as James Tavernier's late free-kick wasn't enough for the visitors to salvage something from the game at Parkhead.

Leon Balogun was sent off in the match as Clement's side lost for the first time since the Belgian's arrival in early October.

And journalist Kheradine Ddessane certainly received a stern answer from Clement after pressing the wrong buttons of the Rangers manager post-match.

"Do you want a reaction or something?" he asked BBC Sportsound when probed if the better team won the game. "Do you think the better team won? I'll ask the same question to you then.

After a tense, short exchange between Clement and Idessane, the Ibrox manager continued. He said: "It was a game that could've been a draw. It was a game that we could've won. It was a game that was decided on details. Important details. Every action in football is important.

"We had more shots than Celtic in an away game without any supporters here. My team showed braveness on the ball and created enough chances. 

"Celtic were more clinical in their two actions and the second goal is a really world-class goal that doesn't happen every week. Those circumstances weren't on our side.

"I'm also really curious why this handball wasn't given because it's a really decisive moment in the game to come back to 1-1. I'm really curious about that. It's a clear handball so it's a penalty and I think everybody who sees that clear handball will say it's a penalty."

BBC's journalist then suggested that VAR pictures showed an offside prior to the flashpoint. Clement responded: "Yes, but after the game. In the second half. We never got this information in the first half so that was not in account at that moment.

"So it's strange we didn't get this information that there was offside and that there was no clear signal it was offside. It's an explanation afterward to cover a decision that was wrong."

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