HIBERNIAN centre half Darren McGregor has accused Celtic striker Moussa Dembele of going to ground too easily at Parkhead on Saturday - and praised referee Bobby Madden for how he dealt with him.

McGregor felt that French forward Dembele, who came on for Leigh Griffiths during the first half of the Ladbrokes Premiership match, tried to win a free-kick when he made the slightest physical contact.

The former Rangers defender felt his rival player’s conduct was “unacceptable” at times in a game his side lost 1-0 and believes that match official Madden handled his behaviour expertly.

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“There was maybe one out of about four or five where I put a wee bit extra on him (Dembele) and it probably could have been a foul,” he said. "But every other one, he just seemed to fling himself to the ground.

“Bobby made a couple of great calls. It’s hard for a ref. For a defender, it’s almost like you can’t touch a forward now. You can’t lay a hand on him.

“We are both grown men of around 80 kilos so you are allowed a bit of physical contact. But if it’s a hand on his chest and he chucks himself to the ground then for me - and maybe I’m biased - that’s unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, McGregor has admitted that he finds Griffiths, who is set to be sidelined for some time after limping off with a calf strain, more difficult to play against than Dembele.

“Saturday was the first time I have played against Dembele,” he said. “He’s strong and he’s quick. You need to stay tight to him and try not to let him turn. As you saw in the second half, when he did get into his stride, he is a very powerful player. But I always enjoy playing against that type of player.

“Wee Sparky, on the other hand, always plays on the shoulder. He’s a lot more elusive. He never plays in front of you. For me, that can sometimes be a harder player to play against. They’re equally good. It’s a toss of a coin to be honest. Celtic fans will know better than me, but they are equally good in my eyes.”

Elsewhere, McGregor believes it is only a matter of time before his Hibernian team mate John McGinn moves on to play at a higher level – but would like the Easter Road club hold onto him until the summer.

McGinn was once again outstanding for the capital club in central midfield during their narrow 1-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday and was unfortunate not to score a late equaliser with a long-range strike.

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The Scotland internationalist was the subject of an unsuccessful £750,000 bid from Nottingham Forest in the summer and their English Championship rivals Cardiff City are currently monitoring his progress.

Former St. Mirren and Rangers centre half McGregor has no doubts the 23-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Scott Brown, Steven Fletcher, Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker and leaves Hibs.

However, he is hoping no bids come in for the player in the remaining days of the January transfer window.

“It was another good performance by John, a great young Scottish talent,” he said. “I think he will go eventually. When that is, who knows? It’s been a pleasure.

“I’ve seen John develop from a 16-year-old at St Mirren to what he is at the minute. I think he will only go further and further in the game. I have been blessed to play with him. Hopefully he gets the move he deserves, but maybe not till the end of the season.

“John is his own man. John has given Hibs more than enough over the years. There have probably been points previously when he could have gone, but there is no doubt that Hibs have played a part in his development.

“He’s well aware of that, but any player comes to an age, the same way as Broony did at Hibs, Whitts, Fletcher, Kevin Thomson, all these guys. They don’t outgrow the club, but they want to go to pastures new and try themselves at a higher level. I think John is capable of doing that.”

Meanwhile, McGregor has expressed doubt that Neil Lennon, who Brendan Rodgers has suggested would be the perfect man to succeed his mentor Gordon Strachan as Scotland manager, will take on the national team job

“Every time I have spoken to him, he has said that that would be for later in his career,” he said. “Maybe he is just bluffing, I don’t know. I’m hoping he stays here because he has taught me a lot and he’s a really top-class manager. I want him to stay as long as he can.”