HOWARD WEBB has defended the performance of Craig Thomson after the Scottish whistler made several controversial decisions in the Old Firm semi-final at Hampden. 

Celtic dominated the match for long periods and finally earned their place in the Betfred Cup final after a 87th- minute strike from Moussa Dembele. 

The pre-match favourites were unhappy they didn’t take the lead sooner when Erik Sviatchenko sent a headed past Rangers goalkeeper Matt Gilks, only to see the effort disallowed for a foul on Clint Hill. 

Read more: Last action hero: Dembele Rangers' tormentor again as Celtic clinch Hampden final placeGlasgow Times:

Replays appeared to show the it was a 50-50 challengewas six of one, half a dozen of the other, with the BT Sport commentary team in agreement that the goal was wrongly ruled out. 

Earlier in the match, Rangers thought they’d been awarded had a penalty, only for the referee to book Barrie McKay for diving. 

While he believed Thomson was wrong, Webb – formerly a World Cup final ref and now a BT Sport referee correspondent – defended the decision to blow for a foul while Sviatchenko headed home. He said: “I love listening to these commentators and people who cast judgment. 

Read more: Last action hero: Dembele Rangers' tormentor again as Celtic clinch Hampden final place

“Craig’s got one view. It’s all about angles. It’s a crowded penalty area. There’s a bit of contact. 

“Clint Hill probably, what we would call, ‘old mans’ Craig Thomson by going down easily, throwing himself a little bit. 

“But, you know, at full speed I can totally see why Craig has disallowed it.

“Do I think he should have given a goal? Yes I do, but I’ve got the benefit of sitting here watching replays.” 

This was Webb’s first taste of the famous Glasgow derby and he admitted he was blown away by the atmosphere.

And the former Barclays Premiers League ref he was full of praise for Thomson’s overall performance andAs for the referee’s overall performance, Webb praised Thomson for how he handled the red-hot intensity of an Old Firm derby at Hampden. 

He said: “Overall, Craig did ok. 

“He kept his cards in his pocket – we had four in the end but three came late on.”

“He got the penalty shout early on right. That was the important thing, to get that right. I thought the yellow card for simulation was a little bit on the harsh side, but he got the penalty call right.