Kris Commons and Simon Mensing were at loggerheads over the controversial penalty incident which saw the Celtic midfielder give the visitors the breakthrough goal in Sunday’s cup tie at Stark’s Park.
Celtic dominated but only went ahead in the 56th minute after referee Steven McLean adjudged the Rovers defender to have fouled Commons inside the box.
The Scotland international slammed the ball into the corner of the net past Rovers goalkeeper David McGurn and the Irn-Bru First Division side’s resistance was broken.
Late goals from substitute James Forrest, on for Tony Watt, and defender Charlie Mulgrew completed a solid afternoon’s work by the Hoops.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon admitted the award “looked soft” but former St Johnstone and Hamilton defender Mensing was forthright in claiming that Commons had gone down too easily throughout the game.
Mensing said: “I thought the ref got that one wrong he went down too easily. There was minimal contact but Commons is clever. He was doing it during the game and you can see he’s a clever player.”
Commons was relaxed in his response when told of Mensing’s views.
“He tripped me up in the box and it’s something you can’t do,” Commons said. “You can’t trip players in the box. There was definite contact with my right foot.
“If he got the ball then fair enough, but he didn’t so I don’t know what he expects me to do.”
Celtic have been drawn away to St Mirren in the quarter-finals.
For a full match report, see Monday’s Courier or try our new digital edition.