FURIOUS Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has blasted referee Bobby Madden and his assistant Alan Mulvanny after his side’s controversial loss to Celtic.

Kyogo scored the only goal of a hard-fought encounter at Celtic Park, but replays showed that the striker was offside as Anthony Ralston crossed for him to finish.

Neilson tried to bite his tongue after the game, but ultimately couldn’t hide his anger towards the match officials.

“I’m very proud of the players and I thought they were exceptional,” Nielson said.

“I felt we didn’t get beaten by Celtic, we got beaten by poor decisions by the referee and linesman.

“We can all laugh and joke about these things. I made a comment after our game at Ibrox and got the book thrown at me, so I can’t say too much about this one.

“But it’s offside. He’s ahead of the ball. The linesman has got to see it. I’ve seen it, everyone would agree. The linesman had a brilliant view.

“I tried to speak to the officials but it’s a waste of time. You end up just getting banned or getting yellow or red cards.

“I’m sure the linesman and referee will have a look at it, they’ll WhatsApp each other and they’ll move on to the next game.”

Neilson was also angry with referee Madden for stopping the game with his side on the counter attack after Celtic winger Jota had pulled up with a hamstring injury.

“I’d end up going to jail if I said what I really think about it,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. The boy pulls his hamstring and the referee stops the game and gives them the ball back when we’re going to counter-attack.

“But that’s Scottish football, you’re in Glasgow.”

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou dismissed Neilson’s comments, saying that his team deserved to win in any case.

"It’s a goal, mate,” he said. “I’ll let it go and I’ll let our performances speak for themselves.

“If people think the referee decided this game, well, that’s their analysis.”