Still Mart-ing after VAR call to punish Livi

DAVID MARTINDALE reckons his Livingston side were on the wrong end of a raw deal for Celtic's crucial penalty kick yesterday.

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

The West Lothian men pushed the Hoops all the way and twice led in a frantic first half which included an incredible FOUR goals in the opening 10 minutes.

But the spot-kick awarded by officials for Celtic's fourth just before halftime stuck in the throat of Livingston manager Martindale.

Livi were punished after VAR Nick Walsh flagged up the ball catching defender Dan Finlayson's arm when under pressure from Daizen Maeda at a corner.

His spot alerted referee Matthew MacDermid and he was called to the monitor to mull over the incident before opting to award the champions a penalty kick.

Bemused Martindale felt there could have been a foul in the buildup and said in the aftermath of a controversial call: "It's a difficult one because I feel it was a really soft penalty.

"Dan's hands are out but there's enough on him to move him and off-balance him slightly.