Scott Brown has issued a defence of Leigh Griffiths while slamming Alan Power for a challenge on Celtic youngster Jeremie Frimpong.
The full back was stretchered off during the second half of the win over Kilmarnock after a crunching tackle from Power.
And Brown was surprised that not even a yellow card was shown to the Irish midfielder, although he feels a ban would be coming his way if he had made the challenge.
He said: "I think if I'd done that tackle, it would become reckless, everyone would have surrounded the ref and stuff like that.
"We've seen it back and both feet are off the ground. If I'm in that situation, there would be a lot of people, a lot of punters, a lot of fans putting pressure on me to get a suspension and to get sent-off.
"I think it's the levels (of refereeing) we want maintained so that the same thing happens in every single game."
Griffiths has continued his return to form with a second goal in as many starts against Alex Dyer's team.
But Brown played down the celebration furore that followed his strike after Griffiths appeared to aim a "be quiet" gesture at Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd, who said last month that the Scotland hitman had just four weeks left to save his Celtic career.
And the midfielder also insists it is time for fans to put themselves in the place of Griffiths - who has recently battled off-field demons - after he sparked an angry confrontation when he reacted to abuse from the stands by tossing a scrunched up ball of tape at a supporter.
Brown said: "Everyone has had criticism. Everyone deals with it and I'm sure the wee man will deal with that.
"I'm sure Boydy is big enough and ugly enough to deal with it too.
"I think it's part and parcel of the game. I've had it, Leigh's had it, everybody's had it before and it's just about how you bounce back."
Brown added: "I've not actually seen (the incident with the supporter) back yet but what I've heard is there was nothing really in it.
"I've spoken about this before. They (fans) think they can sing and chant for 90 minutes and do whatever what they want. If they were on the other side I don't think they would appreciate half the stuff that happens, especially the stuff with Leigh.
"You've just got to deal with it. I've had it in front of 50,000 people. You just have to try to win the game. Last night Leigh scored the goal and people don't like him because that's what he does.
"You got to take that in a positive way too. You need to think there's a reason why they don't like you."
