‘Best performer on the pitch’: Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish defends controversial ref after Rangers win

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Rangers moved 19 points clear at the top on a controversial afternoon at Ibrox

Bobby Madden might not be flavour of the month with Celtic fans right now, but he’s received the backing of one Parkhead legend.

Madden was at the centre of controversy during a feisty derby at Ibrox on Saturday, with Neil Lennon among those questioning his decision to send Nir Bitton off.

The Israeli was shown a straight red after 62 minutes for hauling down Alfredo Morelos, with Madden having deemed it a clear goalscoring opportunity for the striker.

Speaking on Sky Sports after his team’s 1-0 defeat, Lennon said: “The referee has made the wrong decision and it’s changed the course of the game.

“It’s not a sending off, it’s a foul, we’ve got Ajer coming in on the cover and Morelos is in a wide position.

“It’s not a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity – he might get a shot off but he’s certainly not clear through on goal.

“I think he was too quick to get the red card out.”

Sir Kenny Dalglish, however, has issued a vehement defence of the official.

Talking to the Sunday Post, the former Celtic and Liverpool man said: “I believe the referee called it absolutely correctly.

“My view on it is based on three factors:

“1 – Where the foul took place.

“2 – The manner in which he fouled Alfredo Morelos, namely wrapping his arms around the Colombian. There was no attempt to play the ball.

“3 – Morelos would have been inside the area with one touch and able to get a shot in on goal.

“Yes, you can argue that Kris Ajer was going to cover the ground and get across. That’s the point Neil Lennon made in his interviews after the game.

“But there still wasn’t enough evidence there to suggest that the referee got it wrong.

“But there was enough there that made it difficult for Madden not to send off the Celtic defender.

“I’m not saying that Morelos would have scored. However, that’s not the point. The fact is he was denied the chance of a goal-scoring opportunity.”

Dalglish made 322 appearances for Celtic, scoring 167 times and winning four league titles.

His former club now trail Rangers by 19 points at the top of the Premiership, albeit with three games in hand.

After returning from their trip to Dubai, Lennon’s men will resume their title defence at Celtic Park on Monday January 11 when Hibs are the visitors.