JASON DENAYER today told his Celtic centre-half partner Virgil van Dijk: You've no need to apologise for your San Siro red card.

Hoops defender Van Dijk was ordered off in the first half of the Europa League showdown as the Hoops lost 1-0 against Inter Milan and crashed out of the competition on a 4-3 aggregate.

The Dutchman received a second yellow card from Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak - after Mauro Icardi had begged the match official to book him.

He was devastated as Ronny Deila's side lost after conceding a goal to Fredy Guarin in the 88th minute, and the 23-year-old apologised to his Hoops team-mates afterwards and to supporters who had travelled to Milan to watch the game.

But Belgian star Denayer was furious with the performance of the match official and has told his fellow-defender there was no need to apologise.

He said: "I am disappointed about this game. First of all, I am disappointed with the referee. I thought a lot of his choices were bad. There is not a lot to say about this game other than I am very disappointed with the referee and with the ordering off.

"I don't think Virgil needs to apologise to anyone because it's not a yellow card. It's not his fault. It was never a booking. I don't think he needs to say sorry to anyone, to the supporters or to the players, because it was a mistake by the referee."

Denayer added: "I am upset because we deserved to do something better in this game. I am very disappointed with the match official.

"He didn't have to give him a yellow card because it wasn't a yellow card. I don't know why he made this decision.

"It is more difficult when you play with 10 players and you need to score. We played well, but it was not to be for us, unfortunately."

Denayer, whose side lost 4-3 to Roberto Mancini's side over two legs, has insisted Celtic can put the Inter result behind them this weekend.

Deila's side take on their nearest challengers Aberdeen in the SPFL Premiership at Parkhead on Sunday.

And their 19-year-old centre-half is confident they can win the match and take a huge stride towards retaining their Scottish title.

Denayer said: "We have a big game against Aberdeen now on Sunday and we can focus on this match and putting the result against Inter behind us.

"I think we have played quite well in Europe this season and, although we are disappointed, we have to keep going.

"We can't do anything about the Inter game now. It is in the past and we have to concentrate on the games that we can win.

"We are used to playing games during the week in Europe and in playing matches at the weekend so it is not a problem for us.

"If we have any injuries then we have good players who can come in. We are all looking forward to this game and to getting a good result in the league."

Denayer also lavished praise on Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon for his performance between the sticks in the San Siro.

He said: "The goalkeeper played well and had some very good saves. The goal was not his fault. It was a very good strike by the player."