There was much talk about tinted spectacles at Auchenhowie yesterday as Philippe Clement fixed his glare on critics of his side’s behaviour during and after Sunday’s Old Firm powderkeg.
Claims Fabio Silva was guilty of simulation during the ferocious 3-3 draw had the Rangers boss accusing the accusers of seeing only what they wanted to see. Likewise the flak directed at the Ibrox boss and his players for their so-called ‘lap of honour’ after failing to land a blow on their rivals at home had the Belgian narrowing his eyes in incredulity.
The sight of Rangers soaking up the acclaim of 50,000 fans immediately after drawing Sunday’s derby blockbuster certainly brought scorn from punters mainly wearing green-tinted glasses, as Clement would put it. The manager was captured roaring in front of the Union Bears in the Broomloan Stand moments after Rabbi Matondo’s stoppage-time wondergoal rescued a point in a brilliantly chaotic encounter.
The goal stopped Celtic carving out a four-point advantage at the top, having taken the lead in just 22 seconds and could well prove to be the decisive moment in the most captivating title race in years.
That’s what Clement was keen to focus on yesterday as he and his players prepared to head to Tayside for a clash with Dundee which, should it beat the weather, could see Rangers go top of the pile.
Not only that but the fact Sunday was the first time in three decades that a side had come back from two down to snatch anything from the derby was worthy of raising eyebrows he reckons.
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon led the criticism of the celebrations afterwards claiming it “wouldn’t have happened in my day” while fellow ex-Celt and Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton also had a pop at the Ibrox boss for claiming a “moral victory”.
But Clement is adamant the celebration criticism misses the point. He said: “First, what happens with the team? We go behind after 22 seconds. Then you go 2-0 behind in an Old Firm.
“It is more than 30 years since a team came back in that situation. We score in extra time with a very good goal. You cannot be happy with that?
“It would be a little bit weird. But I read a lot of comments. It is a funny thing is this town – everybody has coloured glasses for sure around the Old Firm.
“There are a lot of comments about everything, but I don’t care what people with coloured glasses are saying. It is not important for me. Yeah, we were happy that we could come back in that situation and that we showed resilience and we scored an amazing goal at the end.
“But before the game we wanted to win and in the game we wanted to win also. After the amazing goal we were the team who still created a chance, we were not the team who were defending.
“We get a good chance still with Cyriel at the end so we were going full for the three points. We can be happy after a well-deserved point. It could have been more but it was more about the reaction after going behind.”
Rangers’ fightback began with the VAR awarded penalty after Silva crashed to the ground under a challenge from Alistair Johnston. Ref John Beaton, who had already warned the Portuguese over his antics in the first half, flashed yellow at the Ibrox forward only for video assistant Nick Walsh to direct him to the monitor.
Beaton’s decision to overturn his decision and award the spot-kick was wrong according to Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers who accused Silva of simulation. But while Clement revealed he has had words with the Wolves loanee over being stronger in some instances, he took aim at those who branded him a diver. And he insists the player has the stud marks to prove he was a target.
Clement said of the criticism: “It is not justified in everything because I see that some people, again with coloured glasses, throw everything on the same pile.
“There were two actions which I was not happy with him about and I show him today also about that. He should have been stronger in the duel and he was not strong enough. In other moments he got really kicked.
“He’s also got two really deep marks in his calves after this game, cuts from the studs. There were a few actions where he could go down because there was a severe tackle or duel, and two where there were not that I’ve talked to him about.”
Clement is adamant the penalty award was correct. He said: “It’s clear a penalty. Only if you have coloured glasses you say it’s not a penalty. People who are neutral, or maybe even if they say they have coloured glasses, they say a neutral thing.
“I see the ref watch in England and Dermot Gallagher, who is neutral – although maybe people say he is more a favourite of Celtic, I don’t know if it’s true or not – but he clearly says it is a penalty.”
And the boss dismissed suggestions the player’s footballing culture could be the problem.
He said: “No. Don’t start to create now – and this is what people on the other side try to do – a sort of narrative around him, because he’s not been doing that in other games. He was in the beginning an emotional young guy. Yes, he’s 21, but it’s getting better and better.”
