PARTICK THISTLE boss Alan Archibald claimed he never expected his side to be awarded a penalty after makeshift Celtic centre-back Nir Bitton clashed with Miles Storey in stoppage time at Firhill last night.
The Jags players demanded a spot-kick following the awkward challenge by the Israeli international with time running out and the Hoops leading 1-0 with a fabulous first-time effort from Olivier Ntcham.
Storey went down too theatrically for the liking of referee Andrew Dallas who waved play on.
Archibald said: “It’s a foul, anywhere else on the pitch, so I don’t know why he has not given it.
“It is a big call because it is the last minute of the game against Celtic. We got a penalty the other night I don’t think we will get two penalties in four days. We have had about three in three years.
“I am past anger. I didn’t expect to get it. We are at Partick Thistle, with the small club mentality, I don’t think you expect it in the last minute against Celtic. It is a big call to give.”
Brendan Rodgers responded: “I haven’t seen the penalty again. From where I was, it looked as though he’s got a nick on the ball and the guy’s gone over, but sometimes away from home, you never know.
“You saw it at Ross County last season, they can be given against you.
“It’s a game I thought we were in control of without being at our best. At 1-0 with five minutes to go, you have to stand up and we did that.
“The maturity of the team came through that they can manage it through to the end.”
