Hearts captain Craig Gordon reveals assistant referee tried to wind him up over Celtic goal

Celtic’s equalising goal stuck in Hearts’ throats after Ellis Simms’ fine early opener. Callum McGregor’s foul on Toby Sibbick deep in the home half went unpunished by referee Don Robertson. Seconds later, Daizen Maeda converted Jota’s cross to restore parity.

Then came assistant referee Dougie Potter’s comments to Gordon in the tunnel at half-time over the hosts’ second goal, which marginally crossed the line before the goalkeeper could push it away. Potter’s decision was to instantly award Kyogo a goal and TV replays proved him correct.

Addressing the first goal initially, Gordon was perplexed: “I cannot understand how it’s not a free-kick, then Celtic catch us on the break and they’re so good at that,” he said. “We are really unfortunate not to get that decision on the edge of the box in [Stephen] Kingsley territory. It’s disappointing on so many levels.”

On the second, he added: “I think it’s about a millimetre over the line. How the linesman from 40 yards away can 100 per cent know that’s over the line, I’m not entirely sure. We’ll have to give him it as a good call.

“He was winding me up coming out for the second half, saying: ‘Good decision, good decision, eh?’ I was like: ‘Oh right, so it’s like that?’ Fair enough, he backed his call. I thought I’d saved it.”

Further goals by Matt O’Riley and substitute Giorgos Giakoumakis completed a comfortable Celtic win which all but secured the Premiership title. Manager Ange Postecoglou made time to praise Gordon for an outstanding campaign at full-time.

“He congratulated me on a good season and I congratulated him straight back,” said the Scotland internationalist. “He has done a fantastic job. He was just congratulating me on my award and having a good season.”

Hearts