Brendan Rodgers launches Rangers penalty gripe as Celtic boss takes cheeky swipe at Ibrox star

Brendan Rodgers was left disappointed with the penalty against Celtic in their pulsating 3-3 draw with Rangers.

The Irishman’s side stormed into a 2-0 lead before half-time before John Beaton booked Ibrox forward Fabio Silva for a dive inside the box after going down under an Alistair Johnston tackle. VAR called him over to the monitor for a second look and the booking was overturned, with James Tavernier converting.

It catapulted Rangers back into the game and Abdallah Sima levelled up. Adam Idah looked to have netted a last-gasp winner but Rabbi Matondo struck back in second half stoppage time with an excellent effort to leave the points split. Celtic are top of the league by a point but Rangers have a game in hand.

Rodgers took a dig at Silva as he conceded his penalty dismay over the one Celtic gave up. The boss told BBC Sport Scotland: "You expect some sort of reaction in the second half. I'm disappointed with the penalty. If you watch it back, I think the referee makes the right decision in the game. Alistair Johnston makes a really good challenge. The player then simulates and goes over. He went over a few times in the game.

"It went against us and you expect a bit of pressure. We had to stand up and fight, We get the third goal, excellent from Adam [Idah]. They then get a really good third goal. We're disappointed not to win, but to leave here with everything in our hands is what we wanted.

"We played with a calmness, really attacking with and without the ball. We made the crowd really edgy and that's what we want. We showed quality and heart in really tough conditions.

"To come here with no supporters, to show that mentality - you were never going to win anything today, but take it [the title race] in the right direction. There's still a lot to play for. There's a long way to go. We're in a really good position.”