Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery believes Kyogo Furuhashi fouled him in the build-up to the first Celtic goal against the Steelmen on Saturday - but refereeing decisions can't be blamed for 'Well's defeat.
The Japanese striker bundled Slattery over as Celtic raced up the park to score through Jota. Ange Postecoglou's side eventually ran out 2-0 winners in the Premiership match against Motherwell.
David Turnbull's wonderful effort sent his former club down to sixth in the league. Celtic's Boli Bolingoli also appeared to handle the ball inside his own box, but again, Motherwell were not rewarded.
While frustrated with the decisions, Slattery doesn't think it resulted in Motherwell's ultimate outcome after two moments of quality from Saturday's opponents.
“It was a foul on myself and I thought it was a foul but the ref hasn’t given it and then they have countered and scored," said Slattery. "Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t.
"I thought it was a foul but I am not going to say that is the reason for the scoreline. A lot of people around the ground thought it was a penalty.
"I haven’t actually seen it back myself but from first view I thought it was a penalty but the referee has missed that one. The referee has got some things right and some things wrong but I did think that one was a penalty.
“In any game you need luck whether that is a penalty or a free-kick. On Saturday we didn’t seem to have that luck but we take this game and move on now to next weekend."
Slattery has played almost every Premiership minute for Motherwell since his summer move from Southampton.
He's enjoying his time in North Lanarkshire so far, but admits that Saturday's match wasn't one that clicked for them.
Graham Alexander's side are next in Premiership action against Dundee United, who are flying high, sitting third in the league after a 3-0 win over Hibs. Motherwell meanwhile will look to bounce back after consecutive 2-0 defeats to Hearts and Celtic.
"We did create a few chances, maybe not as clear cut as we would have liked," added Slattery. "We certainly had spells in the game where we were on top and causing a problem.
"Some days it goes your way and some days it doesn’t. In any game the first goal is vital. We started well but they got the first goal and so we were always chasing.
"I said it after the last game that we are not going to take the defeat too much to heart and it is the same when we win, we don’t get too ahead of ourselves. We will try to bounce back.
“It is enjoyable to be playing football week in, week out and in a team that is quite together and we know what we want and expect from each other and what the manager expects from us. Yeah, I am really enjoying my football.”
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