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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Fraser Wilson

Michael Owen brands Celtic winger James Forrest a diver over penalty in Rennes draw

Michael Owen has accused James Forrest of diving to win Celtic a penalty in the Europa League draw with Rennes.

The Hoops winger went down in the box after Damien Da Silva dangled a leg early in the second half.

Ryan Christie slotted home from 12 yards to secure a valuable point in the Group E opener just six minutes after he himself had been denied a spot kick after being fouled by Joris Gnagon.

Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Owen believes Neil Lennon's side were well worthy of the result but he was not convinced by the penalty award.

(Getty Images)

Owen told BT Sport: “Celtic deserved this because they didn’t get the first one.

"But to me, this isn’t a penalty.

“Forrest has certainly played for it. He sort of drags his leg and just decides to dive a bit.”

James Forrest is brought down for a penalty (REUTERS)

Referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez came in for heavy criticism from Celtic following his decision to send off Vakoun Bayo in the dying minutes.

The Ivorian striker was sent packing shortly after coming off the bench for a second yellow card after an incident with Rennes keeper Edouard Mendy.

TV replays showed there was barely any contact despite the keeper's theatrics.

Lennon said: "I’m not happy about the sending off.

"It looked to me like the referee was waving play on. I don’t know if he looked back at the goalkeeper as he was holding his head.

“There was no contact with his face at all. If anything, it was minimal across his midriff. The referee changed his mind and Bayo can feel very hard done by by that decision.

“We pride ourselves on our team discipline. Yes, we lost a player to a red card, but we feel harshly done by."

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