Sunday 11 November 2018 18:49, UK
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes Livingston striker Dolly Menga should have been sent off in the 0-0 draw on Sunday.
Menga appeared to move his head towards Ryan Christie as they jostled while waiting for a set-piece but although referee Kevin Clancy interjected he took no action.
The point took the Parkhead side top of the Ladbrokes Premiership on goal difference over Hearts.
Rodgers, who revealed defender Kristoffer Ajer will need surgery on an eye socket injury sustained in the second half, said: “He should have been sent off. I thought so in real time.
“I thought he gestured his head towards Ryan and when I saw it after the game it was actually more aggressive than I thought and he was very, very lucky to stay on the pitch.
“If he goes down it doesn’t matter if the referee hasn’t seen it. I assume he hasn’t seen it so if he goes down or not it doesn’t matter.
“It wasn’t a great action by the player so you can only assume all the officials haven’t seen it.”
Rodgers expressed sympathy for Ajer, who returned to the Hoops’ defence at the expense of Filip Benkovic and now faces a lengthy lay-off.
He said: “He’s struggling – he’s broken his eye socket and he’s in a lot of pain at the moment.
“He will need surgery which is a shame for him. He’s in real agony around the area of his cheekbone.
“The medics will look after him and hopefully he can get that repaired as soon as possible.
“There was nothing in it. He’s just headed down into their guy’s head.
“There was no fault on the part of the other player. It was just unfortunate.”
