Neil Lennon blasts officials for missing 'blatant handball'

The Easter Road boss claimed he had never presided over a more one-sided clash with the Ibrox men but was left frustrated as they slumped 2-1 to Graeme Murty's side.

And there was extra frustration as Gers substitute David Bates got off with a stonewall handball inside the box with just a quarter of an hour left.

“It’s a clear handball that you can see,” snapped the Northern Irishman. “It’s hand to ball, he’s even leaned into it

“The linesman has seen it, so how the referee hasn’t I don’t know.

“Everyone on that side of the ground could see it and you could tell from the reaction.

“The ref said he didn’t think it was a penalty, so he’s the only one in the ground. He looked to the linesman and the linesman gave that decision.

“There's no doubt we’ve been done by that decision. You just want officials to get big calls right. It’s blatant.”

Lewis Stevenson's deflected strike put Hibs ahead nine minutes in but despite dominating their opponents, they could not add to their lead.

And it proved costly as Josh Windass and Alfredo Morelos struck twice in the final three miniutes of the opening half to give the Ibrox men a surprise half-time lead.

And it was all hands to the pump for Gers after the break as the hosts through everything at them, with the post twice coming to their rescue as Hibs substitute Brandon Barker was denied.

“I thought we were sensational and didn’t get what we deserved,” said Lennon. “They were battered. I've been involved with Celtic but that was probably biggest battering I’ve given Rangers.

“They camped in for the second half and we controlled it.

“We hit post twice, worked the goalkeeper but missed good chances first half.

“I think the goalie should do better with their two goals.

“But we can’t keep putting in good balls and not scoring. We flashed umpteen balls across the box and they went begging. We deserved at least a point.”

Murty has now chalked up four wins in a row as caretaker boss and is increasingly looking like the man to see the Ibrox side to the end of the season.

But he admits the Leith clash put him through the wringer, even if it was enough to keep his side in second spot.

“I'm delighted with the three points but I endured that more than enjoyed it.,” said the Gers interim manager. “The lads showed good spirit andbattling nature.

“Hibs imposed themselves upon us and we didn’t deal with the ball well enough to alleviate the pressure.

“We did ride our luck at times. But wins have a wonderful effect on the changing room. The players are sitting in there agreeing that we didn’t hit the heights we know we can.

‘But winning here while not playing our best, you’d take that.

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