Peter Leven has criticised VAR after Celtic edged past Aberdeen to keep their title ambitions alive.
The stand-in manager encouraged his squad to concentrate on defending their Scottish Cup crown after their top-six aspirations were ended by the reigning champions.
The Dons were beaten 2-1 on home soil by the Hoops, a scoreline that consigns them to the bottom half of the table.
The cup holders now take on Dunfermline in the quarter-finals at East End Park and are determined to defend their silverware.
But regarding the decisive goal, he stated: “It looks offside but why’s there not two lines drawn?
“There was only one drawn. But listen, right now it’s not going for us, these decisions in the game.
“Players need to be a bit more streetwise. Lyall needs to ask the question late on when Hatate goes in. I thought the players worked really hard today. We started the second-half really well, but listen, it’s just not going for us.
“They worked really hard, but it’s zero points which is frustrating because I thought they put in a good shift tonight. They are a quality team, Celtic, but I’m proud of the players tonight.”The interim boss said: “It’s the next game, a huge game at the weekend.
“We want to retain the title.
“The boys will rest and recover and will go again in the later part of the week.”
Benjamin Nygren grabbed the winner and Leven questioned why VAR failed to apply a second line.
Leven believed Lyall Cameron was too honest and did not go down to earn a late penalty.“I think Lyall was too honest and stayed in his feet,” his manager added.
“Shinnie had a hand in the back and could’ve gone down. I think they need to be more streetwise. We need to start picking up points.
“I thought second-half we started really well and kept pressure on Celtic but we need to sustain that.
“I think you saw tonight the quality we have. We just need a longer period of time in games to control the game and create more chances.”Aberdeen managerial candidate Sandro Schwarz was present in the stands.
Leven added: “I don’t know anything about that.”