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Alan Thompson bemoans "inconsistency from the referee"

Thompson bemoans
© PA Photos
Celtic's assistant manager Alan Thompson criticises the performance of the referee during this afternoon's Scottish Cup semi-final.

Celtic's assistant manager Alan Thompson has been highly critical of the performance that referee Euan Norris put in during today's Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts.

The Bhoys lost the match 2-1 thanks to a late Craig Beattie penalty that had been given for handball against Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley.

Norris also went on to deny Celtic a penalty for a similar offence against Andy Webster deep into stoppage time.

"It's inconsistency from the referee," Thompson told Sky Sports News. "If one's a penalty, the other one's a penalty. Initially we don't think the Hearts one is a penalty. It's come off Joe Ledley's foot and come up to his hand. He's so close to the ball he can't get out of the way.

"If he does give the penalty, we would like to think that the Webster one just after that is also a penalty. There is an inconsistency in how the referee sees it."

Celtic's defeat has cost them the chance of securing a domestic double.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd156632215724
5Motherwell157171823-522
6Dundee165472729-219
7St Mirren165381926-718
8Ross County163671230-1815
9St Johnstone1642101829-1114
10Kilmarnock163581734-1714
11Hearts163491825-713
12Hibernian162681828-1012


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