Motherwell boss Mark McGhee explains Ronny Deila feud

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee claimed a misunderstanding on his part led to him failing to shake the hand of Celtic counterpart Ronny Deila following the Hoops' 2-1 victory at Fir Park.

Leigh Griffiths' double - one either side of a Scott McDonald leveller - took the Premiership leaders eight points clear of Aberdeen going into the split, but at the final whistle McGhee appeared to walk past Deila then shake the hand of Parkhead coach John Kennedy, leaving the Norwegian looking somewhat bemused.

Asked at the press conference what had happened at the end of the game, McGhee said: "I have no idea what you are talking about.''

Asked if he had blanked Deila's handshake, he replied: "'That's not true...I have nothing to say about that, not a thing."

However, McGhee then told BBC Scotland: "What actually happened was, at the beginning of the game, I felt as if when I went over to shake hands with the Celtic staff they blanked me.

"I've spoken to Ronny about it and it was a total, 100 per cent misunderstanding on my part, and I accept totally he didn't see me. That's fine, and he and I have shaken hands.''

Unusually, Deila did not attend the post-match press conference, with Kennedy deputising, and he did not offer much more information.

"I have no idea, I will need to find out. I don't know,'' the former Celtic defender said when asked about the incident.

Turning to the game, Kennedy conceded that Celtic were in a "very good position'' to remain ahead of Aberdeen, who lost 2-1 to Hearts at Tynecastle on Friday night.

He said: "It was important that we took advantage of Aberdeen slipping up last night.

"The first half performance was good, we had some good chances but we didn't quite capitalise and in the second half we had to dig very deep but at this time of the season it is about results, that is the most important thing.

"It gives us an extra cushion but take nothing for granted in this game.

"With five games to go and eight points clear I would like to think we could see the job through.''

McGhee had no complaints about the defeat but questioned the marginal offside decision which denied McDonald an equaliser, before the former Celtic striker did eventually draw the home side level.

He said: "We were beaten by the Champions-elect. They deserved to win the game but we are very aggrieved that once again a decision has gone against us.

"I have watched it over and over and I know the linesman has only one look at it but for me it is onside and it should have stood. But we can't have any complaints.''

All the good work Well keeper Connor Ripley had put in during a notable display was undone when he allowed Griffiths' second-half strike to go between his legs.

However, McGhee was in forgiving mood, saying: "We have no complaints about Connor. He was a bit unlucky. We will forgive him, he has been quite fantastic for us.''

Griffiths had gone four games without a goal before his double took his tally to a remarkable 37 for the season.

However, he appeared distraught when he missed the target with a first-half penalty, his fourth failure from the spot this season.

The Scotland striker said that he has "one million per cent'' stepped down from penalty duties, but said he was glad to be back in the goals.

He said: "The first chance I had was a penalty and I will never hit a bad penalty like that again in my life and then the chances kept falling for me and my head was a little bit down.

"And then the ball came to my left foot and just tried to make contact with it and thankfully it went in.''