Celtic skipper Neil Lennon believes referee Kenny Clark refused to award him a penalty in yesterday's Old Firm derby at Ibrox in case it sparked crowd trouble.
The Hoops were leading through a wonderful Thomas Gravesen strike when the former Northern Ireland international was grounded inside the Light Blues' penalty area by a Steven Smith challenge which looked careless at best and reckless at worst.
However, to the amazement of almost everyone inside the stadium, including the Rangers fans, Clark ignored Lennon's claims and the visitors went in at the interval only one goal to the good.
The Bank of Scotland Premier League champions were then denied victory when Rangers defender Brahim Hemdani grabbed a late equaliser.
Lennon said: 'Maybe it was because it was me (involved), I don't know, maybe he feared starting a riot or something like that.
'But everyone saw it, it was a stonewaller and if we had been awarded the penalty and scored then we would have gone in 2-0 up at half-time.
'And everyone keeps telling me that we get the big decisions!
'It might have been a big turning point in the game, I don't know.
'After that we had a couple of good chances and we could have put the game out of sight but you've got to give Rangers credit, they came back at us in the second half.'
For a club supposedly creaking under the pressure of dressing-room rifts, Rangers showed great fortitude to fight back for the point.
Manager Paul Le Guen, however, did little to quell brewing disquiet between him and his captain, Barry Ferguson.
The Frenchman questioned the importance of a skipper's role a couple of weeks ago and the Scotland midfielder hit back at those comments in yesterday's newspapers.
But Le Guen retorted: 'He thinks what he wants to think but I am the boss.'
Lennon gave his backing to his Ibrox counterpart, saying: 'I would disagree with Mr Le Guen's comments about the role of captain.
'I think it is vitally important that you have a leader, especially at one of the Old Firm clubs because there is so much more pressure.
'There is a big responsibility to it - so everyone keeps reminding me!
'I do think that Barry has an important role, not just for the players but for the supporters who affiliate themselves.
'Maybe it's the same situation with me at Celtic.'
