Celtic vs Astana: Brendan Rodgers’ side scores contentious goal after referee fails to blow up after two players go down after clash of heads
Hoops star Tom Rogic and defender Yuriy Logvinenko both went down clutching their heads, with Scott Sinclair racing on to score
SCOTT SINCLAIR scored a controversial goal for Celtic after the referee failed to stop play as two players clashed heads.
The former Manchester City man fired the Hoops into a 3-0 lead just after the break as Tom Rogic and Yuriy Logvinenko lay injured and requiring treatment on the floor.
For some reason, the referee waved play on - as Leigh Griffiths slipped Sinclair through on goal, and he made no mistake firing low under the legs of of Aleksandr Mokin.
Rogic and Logvinenko both had to be subsequently replaced, with the Kazakhstani international picking up a rather harsh yellow card for the tackle.
His head had to be covered heavily in a bandage, while the back of the Australian midfielder's shirt was soaked in his blood as he left the pitch dazed.
Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey was left incensed by the decision not to stop play.
He said: "Referees are instructed to stop play straight away when there is a clash of heads irrespective of where the play is.
"The referee's decision is wrong here because a serious head injury could have occurred. The safety of the players is paramount."
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Astana cannot have too many complaints with the final scoreline though, as they were blown away at Parkhead losing 5-0.
Sinclair notched up a double, while James Forrest netted to make it 4-0, as the Kazakh side conceded two own goals.
Unless they can overturn a five-goal deficit in the second leg, they will be playing Europa League football this campaign.