Celtic boss Ronny Deila unhappy with Nir Bitton red card in Partick win

Celtic boss Ronny Deila described Nir Bitton's sending-off against Partick as a "little bit stupid" after a late winner by substitute Leigh Griffiths gave the Scottish Premiership leaders a 1-0 victory.

The midfielder was booked by referee Stephen Finnie for a foul on Stuart Bannigan in the 61st minute and survived further censure for a challenge on Abdul Osman moments before he got his second yellow card for a late barge on Jags substitute Gary Miller.

Griffiths, who came on for Nadir Ciftci at the start of the second half, scored his 20th goal of the season to claim a stoppage-time winner that leaves them three points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the table.

"I think it was very easy, I don't think it was a red card," Deila said. "Having said that, it was also a little bit stupid because there was an incident before that.

"I don't think that was a yellow card either and then the other one, those two together made the decision for the referee. I think it was inexperience and something he needs to learn from.

The win meant an end to a four-match winless run for the Hoops and Deila admitted afterwards the victory was a vital one.

"You can call it that (relief), I will call it happiness. I am so happy that we scored and got three points," Deila added. "It was vital of course, it is about confidence as well.

"You could see that we were a little bit anxious out there, the angles and pressing weren't as normal. They were a good passing team, they kept the ball well and we couldn't really get into the game.

"When Leigh came on we were the more dangerous, he went behind them and in the end got the chance we needed to win the game."

Griffiths, who had missed four matches with a calf injury, admitted he was "a bit surprised" to get the nod from Deila at half-time.

"Every team relies on some players, of course they do," Deila said. "I am happy to have him back and happy that Jamesie (James Forrest) came on as well and made a difference.

"But we are a team and that is why we have a squad, to make changes during the game and today they were the difference."

Thistle boss Alan Archibald admitted he was disappointed his side failed to get anything out of the game and claimed Bitton's dismissal worked against his side.

"We put a lot into the game and deserved to take something from it. We had good shape about ourselves," Archibald said.

"I thought the sending-off changed the game for the worse for us. I thought we had a good rhythm and shape and it upset us a little bit.

"I was happy with the way we were playing and it upset the rhythm."