Derek McInnes reveals what referee said to him as controversial Celtic opener prompts apology

The Rugby Park manager said he had few complaints save for a very obvious one when Robbie Deas was felled by a flailing hand from Adam Idah, who went on to give Celtic a third minute lead moments later.

Deas was still lying stricken on the ground in his own half. Robertson decided not to stop the game and Celtic chose to play on rather than put the ball out of play. McInnes expressed his disappointment afterwards. “They (Celtic) didn’t need a helping hand,” he noted.

Celtic scored four more goals to clinch their third successive Scottish Premiership championship and a 12th in 13 years.

That wasn’t McInnes concern afterwards although he congratulated the visitors, who he said few teams could have lived with in such form. But he despaired at the incident after three minutes when Deas was slumped to the ground and the home fans whistled for the action to be stopped.

“The first goal should have been pulled back and Don Robertson apologised at half-time,” revealed McInnes. “He said it wasn’t a foul but he knew it was a head knock and he should have stopped the game. It’s poor from him because he’s a good official. They didn’t need a helping hand but they got one and they were really good with their work. There was so much wrong with what we did tonight. But a big part was what Celtic were doing.

"It’s been a brilliant campaign. It’s not the way we wanted the last home game to play out and it was the toughest 90 mins we’ve had to endure. That was partly us but congratulations to Celtic. I thought they’d have beaten any team in the league tonight. They were strong. We’re always professional and give the best account of ourselves but subconsciously for the players, when you’re playing a team much more on their game, it’s difficult. They played with intensity and didn’t let us breathe. When Idah comes in he gives them that focal point.

"It was always going to be tough. We looked like a team who had done our work. But what a season it’s been and this isn’t going to spoil it.”