Philippe Clement reveals what Celtic staff told him as Rangers boss claims his side COULDN'T have done more

Philippe Clement took a swipe at ref Nick Walsh and VAR for chalking off a goal he believes would have won Rangers the Scottish Cup.

His side were on top in Saturday's Hampden final against Celtic and thought they’d struck first through Abdallah Sima after an hour. But after a VAR check, Walsh ruled it out for a push by Nico Raskin on Hoops keeper Joe Hart. Clement was raging with the decision - citing an earlier push in the game by Liam Scales on Dujon Sterling that went unpunished. The Belgian is convinced that if Sima’s goal was allowed to stand, Rangers would have got their hands on the trophy.

Instead, the Ibrox side conceded a 90th minute goal to Celtic striker Adam Idah who pounced on a Jack Butland mistake to win it. Afterwards, Clement couldn’t hide his frustration at Walsh’s decision. He said: “We had to score at that moment today. But when you score and it’s disallowed in that way, it’s disappointing. Especially when I compare it with the push by Scales on Sterling in the first half. It’s a much bigger push than what happened to Hart.

“I also saw Celtic defenders grabbing my players and having their arms around their necks and waists at that moment. It was a really big call to disallow that goal. It’s their decision. They’re honest but that’s a grey one, not white or black, and he made the decision. But of course, as a manager I’m disappointed.”

It was Rangers’ fifth straight defeat to Celtic this season as they finished the campaign with just one trophy, the League Cup. But on Saturday they competed better than they have done previously against their Old Firm rivals and Clement felt pride in their performance. He says even Celtic officials told him Rangers were the better side at Hampden.

Clement said: