Celtic manager Rodgers has his say on Cyriel Dessers disallowed goal in epic Old Firm clash 

In an entertaining Scottish Premiership game on Sunday afternoon, a goal in second half stoppage time from Rabbi Matondo prevented table-toppers Celtic from snatching all three points at the Ibrox Stadium. 

The Hoops thought they were coasting to victory after finishing the first half with two goals scored by the Japanese Daizen Maeda after twenty one seconds and by Matthew O'Riley, from a penalty in the 34th minute. 

In a game of two halves, James Tavernier converted from the spot after a controversial penalty awarded by referee John Beaton and Senegal international Abdallah Sima brought the Light Blues back on level terms with four minutes left after he was teed up by Cyriel Dessers. 

Cap-tied Republic of Ireland international of Nigerian descent Adam idah fired home with a low shot to restore Celtic's lead sixty seconds after Sima's equalizer. 

Dessers was close to grabbing a winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time when he attempted a shot from 25 yards out but the effort narrowly missed the target, drifting just wide.

One of the talking points from the game was the decision of the referee John Beaton to disallow Dessers' goal in the 57th minute. 

The Nigeria international thought he had equalized after finishing off a counter attack but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review because Tomoki Iwata was fouled in the build-up.

Reacting to the VAR decisions, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was quoted as saying by Sky Sports: "I think the arm is up for our penalty, it's out of that body line. Great composure by Matt on the finish.

"Their disallowed goal was a foul, we can see that and John's seen that."

Dessers has yet to score after three appearances against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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