Penalty row erupts as Celtic open with win

ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson accused referee Eddie Smith of winking at him after the official had awarded Celtic the winning penalty in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener at Parkhead yesterday.

Smith, who awarded a dubious free-kick to Celtic last season at Love Street which had ended with Shunsuke Nakamura firing in a late winner, adjudged Will Haining to have fouled Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink inside the box. After Haining was shown a red card, Barry Robson scored from the spot to give the home side a 1-0 win and all three points.

MacPherson, who admitted he had not seen a re-run of the incident, tried but failed to restrain himself after the game.