DEDRYCK BOYATA received an apology from bungling linesman Frank Connor for awarding Hibs a controversial spot kick in Celtic’s 4-2 victory.

The assistant flagged midway through the second half on Saturday as he adjudged Boyata to have brought down Martin Boyle in the penalty box. Television replays later showed the Belgium had taken the ball with Anthony Stokes converting to cut Celtic’s lead to 2-1.

Connor sought out Boyata afterwards to say sorry for the decision, and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers praised the official for his honesty.

“I didn’t speak to the assistant referee,” he said. “But in fairness, he came in and sought out Dedryck. That takes a lot of courage to admit to the mistake.

“It was good of him to do that – absolutely. That’s the point that should be made.

“Thankfully it didn’t cost us but it showed courage to admit it. That’s all you want.

“I had it once before at Liverpool after a derby at Goodison. It finished 2-2 and we scored a perfectly good goal at the end.

“Luis Suarez scored to get his hat-trick and we should have won 3-2. It was the easiest decision that could ever be made by a linesman and the goal was ruled out.

“It was blatantly onside and afterwards he was distraught and very apologetic.

“But well done to the guy. It’s not easy for officials to do that. In a game that we were in control of, with no real threat until then, moments like that can change the momentum.

“If you don’t have a team that is psychologically strong and mentally in tune with their game, it can really throw you.

“But we saw the game through and it ended up a good result and performance.”

Rodgers also spoke out just hours after Celtic had been handed a 10,000 Euro fine as punishment for a fan running on to the park in their Champions League opener with PSG.

Supporter John Hatton evaded security before sprinting towards striker Kylian Mbappe and aiming a failed boot at the Frenchman. He later admitted his guilt at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was banned from every football ground in the country.

The Celtic manager said: “There’s fines for everything now, that’s why UEFA have this kitty and huge pot of money.

“Listen, the Celtic supporter are incredible in their backing of the team, and we want that.

“We certainly don’t want anything held against our name.”