Celtic penalty was sickening, says Kilmarnock defender Robbie Deas

Kilmarnock defender Robbie Deas admits he was left “raging” and “speechless” at the late penalty award that allowed Celtic a 2-1 win at Rugby Park on Sunday.

The sides were locked at 1-1 and looked to be heading for a share of the spoils when a James Forrest shot deflected off Deas and hit the hand of fellow Killie player Lewis Mayo.

After a VAR review, referee John Beaton gave the visitors a penalty and Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to seal a 2-1 victory for his side, and leave Deas bewildered by the handball decision.

“I’ve seen it back,” he said. “I don’t understand how it’s been given, but I’ve blocked the shot away from goal and Mayo’s not even half a yard away from me and it’s not changed… it’s put out for a throw.

“I’m a bit speechless. I’m raging inside, but it’s the ways of thing’s unfortunately in football, so I can’t say it too much.

“It’s frustrating, especially for myself as a defender. Look, I know the refs are trying to make it more interesting and all this stuff. They’ve obviously brought VAR and stuff like that.

“I think it’s just a sickener for us, especially in the manner of it.

“I thought we actually looked like the team that was going to go and win the game and then to go lose the game in that sort of manner is just an absolute sickener.”

While not calling for the removal of VAR, he fel the threshoold for getting invoved wasn’;t necessarily right and it’s use was frustrating for players and fans.

“Look, I grew up watching football and there’s a lot of changes from when I was young,” he said.

“I know they’re trying to make it better, but it’s difficult.

“I feel like it’s supposed to be entertaining, but you’re scoring a goal and having to wait for VAR or it’s a penalty call for nothing these days.

“I’m not saying obviously that today was nothing, it’s been given and it is what it is, but it kind of takes away the edge of football and for fans watching the game.

“It’s frustrating as players as well, but I understand why they’re just trying to make it better and try and cut out some mistakes.

“I don’t know if I would scrap it, don’t get me wrong, it’s been in our favour this season at the same time, but I just wish it wasn’t so involved as it is.”

Despite the disappointment, the defender did take heart from his side’s performance against the Premiership champions.

“I’m raging, the boys are gutted, but I think we can take a lot from the game and we can turn it into positives, Deas said.

“I thought the fans were brilliant today for us and I think they could see what we are and I think we should take so much from the game the day that we can do it and compete and I don’t think we deserved to lose the game.

“So yeah, it’s just disappointing that it’s took something like that to lose it.”