Sebastian Tounekti tonight hit out at the refereeing call that denied Celtic a goal against Braga - and insisted his side would have won the Europa League match if Kelechi Iheanacho’s strike had been allowed to stand.
However, the Tunisian internationalist admitted that the Scottish champions, who have failed to net in four of their last seven outings, have to start performing better in the final third and recording wins at home and abroad.
The home supporters inside Parkhead, who were furious when Ricardo Horta put the visitors ahead with a long-range effort in the first half, were convinced that summer signing Iheancho had netted a second half equaliser in the league phase encounter.
But German referee Tobias Stieler disallowed it for a handball by the Nigerian striker during the build-up – and his VAR colleagues backed up his decision following a lengthy check.
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Tounekti, a £5.4m signing from Hammarby in Sweden on the final day of the transfer window, was astonished by the controversial ruling in the painful 2-0 loss.
“In the second half, we were much better,” he said. “We were creating lots of chances and we scored to make it 1-1. It was never a handball.
"I saw the video inside now. It's crazy that the referee is taking out that one because there's never a chance it's a handball. Disappointed, of course. We have to learn from it and we have to move on.
"But, yeah, we watched the video over again. I also spoke to Kele (Iheanacho) about it and it was never a handball. It was his face. I'm really interested in what the referee saw on the video because that was never a handball. It's disappointing too.”
Asked about Celtic once again drawing a blank, Tounekti said, "Especially because we get the goal so early in the second half. I think if that goal stays, then we will win the game 100 per cent. It's disappointing, of course."
"I can understand the fans' thoughts about that. I feel like as a group, we are confident in the players we have. I think there are a lot of goals from many of us. We just have to find the rhythm. I think when we start scoring, it will be more and more so.
"We have to find the rhythm because we know there are a lot of players who have the quality to make goals and assists."
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The Celtic supporters still left inside the stadium booed at the final whistle and there were chants of “Sack the board” and “Michael, Michael (chief executive Nicholson) get to f***” during the Europa League game.
Tounekti, who was playing in his first European game at Parkhead, was impressed with the backing the fans, who cancelled a planned silent protest on Wednesday night after directors agreed to hold talks with them, gave the side and is hoping they will remain behind them.
“The fans are unbelievable,” he said. It's always a dream to come out here and play in front of the fans in this stadium, especially on nights like this. The fans are always incredible, they back us every time. We need the fans more than ever. I know they will be behind us every game. But we have to give back to them."
