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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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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1110103132831
2Aberdeen11101024101431
3RangersRangers11713168822
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd125431813519
5Motherwell116141514119
6St Mirren134361722-515
7Dundee123361824-612
8Kilmarnock123361525-1012
9Ross County132651021-1112
10St Johnstone133191627-1110
11Hearts132381420-69
12Hibernian121561118-78


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