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Chris Sutton reckons Scott Sinclair dived to win a penalty during Celtic 's 2-0 Betfred Cup triumph over Motherwell.

James Forrest opened the scoring and Moussa Dembele sealed victory from the penalty spot after the winger went down in the box under pressure from Cedric Kipre.

Referee Craig Thomson dismissed the centre-back but replays showed there was minimal contact between the two players as Sinclair bore down on goal with the score at 1-0.

Sutton made his feelings clear but also brought Hibs boss Neil Lennon into the discussions.

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Sutton said: "He's dived. But where are you on this, Neil? There is a slight touch, but would you want your player to go down?"

Lennon replied: "For me, it's not a penalty and it's certainly not a red card.

"I don't like to see that, especially from Celtic players - very, very good Celtic players.

"It leaves a bitter taste."

Fellow BT Sport pundit Stephen Craigan agreed as he branded it a "disgraceful" decision from Thomson although there was suggestion that Kipre could have walked before the interval after a heavy challenge on Dembele.

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Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson cut a disappointed figure afterwards but refused to condemn Sinclair over the incident despite insisting he felt it was not a penalty.

He said: "It’s a tough one to take. I’m ever so proud of the boys who put in a terrific performance in the first half.

"We could have done better and got closer for the opening goal.

"But the game is over as a contest when he sends Cedric off and gives a penalty.

"In my opinion there’s no contact. The kid is distraught and says he has not touched him. But I will not come out and vilify opposition players as other managers do. I will keep my dignity.

"It’s hard enough playing against Celtic with 11 men never mind 10.

"We were putting them under pressure. We gave a sloppy goal away. But then that decision ended it."

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The Motherwell gaffer also felt his side should have had a penalty when Louis Moult tangled with Kieran Tierney in the second half.

He added: "Craig Gordon's pulled off a super save from Louis Moult and we've had a potential penalty for a foul on him as well.

"It looks to me when I've seen that back that it's a blatant penalty. But we'll get on with it, we'll deal with it.

"It's certainly not the end of our season and I'm proud of the boys."