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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson points to refereeing consistency after Celtic game

ST JOHNSTONE boss Callum Davidson has pointed to refereeing consistency when asked about Celtic's winning goal at McDiarmid Park.

The Hoops left it late to score the winner in Perth as Ange Postecoglou's men found a way to take all three points home with them. 

Giorgos Giakoumakis netted from an impressive Alexandro Bernabei cross in the final seconds of the game. 

It came a matter of moments after the hosts had levelled the score up the other end of the pitch.

In the build up to the goal, on the left-wing, the ball broke to Bernabei after a deflection. 

It looked like Saints winger Drey Wright would be able to run over to win the ball, or at least challenge Celtic's left-back for it. 

However, he was clearly injured as he limped on the spot.

While Davidson believes the officials were right not to halt the play, as it was not a head knock, he highlighted an example from last season when something similar went against his side versus Celtic.

In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, he said: "I've got a couple of mixed emotions. I'm absolutely gutted for the players. Especially second-half, I thought we were terrific. 

"We stayed in the game for as long as we could to then try and take the game to Celtic. I thought we carried out that plan well and all of the substitutes made a fantastic impact.

"Obviously on the other end, we can't see the game out. Drey twists his ankle as we lose the ball, which makes it quite difficult for us to accept.

"There's a lot of positives for me. From last season, I think you see a lot of spirit there from the boys."

Queried specifically on the Wright incident in the lead up to the goal, it was posed if the player could've attempted to make the tackle even though hurt. 

Davidson replied: "I don't know, but we played Celtic in the semi-final of the cup last year. One of their players went down injured when we were on the attack and they stopped the game. So have a bit of consistency.

"I don't think the game should be stopped. I'm not saying that for one second. But just be consistent with the rules. Head knocks, you stop the game. Anything else you carry on. 

"I'm disappointed with how we reacted from it. He's gone down injured, we need to react from it to get him out of trouble. We didn't do it and at that point in the game it was one of those where you're never going to get back into it."

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