Neil Lennon refused to be drawn into any controversy regarding a penalty award to Celtic in the win over Raith
Last Updated: February 4, 2013 8:07am
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Celtic boss Neil Lennon refused to be drawn into any controversy regarding a penalty awarded to his team in the 3-0 victory over Raith Rovers.
Raith defender Simon Mensing, who had earlier appeared to bundle over Kris Commons, was penalised for a trip on the same player in virtually the same place.
Commons netted the spot-kick much to Mensing's fury to set Celtic up for a comfortable Scottish Cup win with James Forrest and Charlie Mulgrew adding the other goals.
While Lennon was unsure on the award given to Celtic he did feel his team had a stronger appeal denied when Raith defender Eddie Malone seemed to handle in the box.
Lennon said: "I didn't get a great view of it and I might agree with Simon. I haven't seen it again but it looked soft, but the referee was right there.
"But we could have had a penalty for handball in the first half, I have seen penalties given for a lot less.
"But the way Kris took the penalty pleased me, the game opened up and I thought we looked great in the last 20 minutes."
Mensing said: "I thought the ref got that one wrong - he went down too easily and I know that for a fact. I'm really disappointed with it.
"There was minimal contact but Commons is clever. The ref just said he felt it was a definite penalty. I would argue until I'm blue in the face that it wasn't but it's not going to change anything."
Eddie Malone
Kris Commons
Charlie Mulgrew
Simon Mensing
James Forrest
