Philippe Clement 'won't accept' Celtic title win despite Rangers defeat as he bemoans John Lundstram red card
Philippe Clement insists he won't give up the title until it's mathematically gone after Rangers' defeat to Celtic this afternoon.
The Ibrox outfit were bested 2-1 at Parkhead thanks to goals from Matt O'Riley and a John Lundstram og to cancel out Cyriel Dessers' header before the break. It means Celts hold a six point lead over their rivals and a better goal difference with just two games to go. It would now take an almighty collapse from Brendan Rodgers' side for Gers to stand a chance at the trophy but Clement refused to rule out the impossible.
He did, however, accept that it's highly the Hoops will fold and he accepted that he's "not naïve" to think there's anything more than a minute chance of winning the league.
Speaking to Sportsound he said: "I never accept until it's mathematically sure but it's a really long shot now. I'm not naïve in that, we need to focus on three points against Dundee, then we can see further, nothing more."
Midfielder Lundstram compounded his own goal misery with a straight red card for a foul on Alistair Johnston and Clement insisted it was a poor decision which changed the game.
But he stopped short of accusing the player of costing his team and instead chose to remember how good the scouser has been for his team all year.
"Of course disappointment of losing but mostly disappointment from the first 20 minutes because we were not aggressive enough," he added. "Then the bad decision making in the tackle and getting the red card because that changed the game. After these 20 minutes we had our chances, made the goal and had a few chances.
"At half-time the xG of the teams is similar so if you stay at XI you have another story. If I need to speak about positive things the team kept fighting and showed a lot of resilience the whole squad to play with 10 and still create and make it difficult for Celtic.
"John made a bad decision in that moment and he knows, he's experienced. But I don't forget, and his teammates don't forget everything he's been doing for the team the last couple of months and years. Yes he knows he made a mistake in the split second, a wrong decision and execution, but now it's looking forward."