PETER LEVEN ERUPTS WITH EXPLOSIVE ALLEGATIONS AFTER CELTIC 2:1 DEFEATS, JOURNALISTS LEFT SPEECHLESS AS LEVEN TEAR THE WHOLE CELTIC

The fallout from Aberdeen’s dramatic 2:1 home defeat to Celtic has intensified after interim manager Peter Leven launched a furious attack on match officials, openly accusing the referee of effectively “handing the game” to the visitors during a heated post match press interview that left journalists stunned.

The match at Pittodrie had already delivered plenty of drama. Celtic struck early when Kieran Tierney found the net just five minutes into the contest, silencing the home crowd and giving the visitors the perfect start. Aberdeen responded with determination and were rewarded in the 19th minute when Kevin Nisbet calmly converted a penalty to bring the score level.

For much of the match the sides appeared evenly matched, with Aberdeen showing resilience and Celtic relying on their composure and attacking quality. However the decisive moment came in the 67th minute when Benjamin Nygren finished off a move that Aberdeen players insisted should have been stopped. It was that moment which triggered the explosive reaction from Leven after the final whistle.

Speaking to reporters moments after the defeat, the Aberdeen interim coach did not hide his anger and repeatedly questioned the decisions made by the referee and match officials.

“We competed with them all night,” Leven began. “After going one down early we showed character, we fought back and we deserved the three point or worst we shear the point.”

“The problem is when the big moment comes the decision goes their way again. You look at the build up to that goal and Everyone in the stadium saw it. Everyone on our bench saw it.”

Leven then delivered the line that shocked many in the room.

“Honestly, it feels like the officials handed the game to Celtic tonight.”

The remark immediately caused murmurs among journalists as the Aberdeen boss continued his extraordinary assessment of the match.

“You try to stay respectful, you try to focus on football, but when the same type of decisions keep happening in games like this you start asking serious questions,” he said.

When one reporter suggested the goal itself was well finished regardless of the build up, Leven pushed back strongly.

“The finish is irrelevant if the play should have been stopped before it even happens. If that foul is given like it should be, there is no goal.”

Leven insisted his players had been “robbed of a fair contest” and claimed the officiating had undermined what he believed was a strong performance from his side.

“My players worked incredibly hard tonight,” he said. “They responded after going behind, they stayed organised, they fought for every ball. They did everything right to give themselves a chance.”

“And then a moment like that changes everything.”

The Aberdeen boss suggested the officials allowed the atmosphere and stature of the opposition to influence their judgement.

“There are matches where you feel the pressure around certain teams,” Leven said. “Sometimes decisions don’t just come from what happens on the pitch. That’s the reality.”

Several reporters attempted to clarify whether Leven was directly accusing the referee of bias, but the manager stood firmly by his criticism.

“I’m saying the decision was wrong and it cost us the game. That’s a fact. When a wrong decision leads directly to the winning goal, what else are we supposed to think?”

Inside the Aberdeen dressing room, sources indicated the frustration was shared among players who believed the foul in the build up to Nygren’s winner should have been called.

A number of Aberdeen players reportedly approached the officials immediately after the final whistle to protest the decision before being guided down the tunnel by staff members.

While Leven’s comments dominated the post match discussion, Celtic’s reaction was far calmer. The visitors maintained that their victory was deserved and praised the team’s ability to regain control of the match after Aberdeen equalised.

Celtic representatives declined to engage directly with Leven’s accusations, instead emphasising the quality of their goals and their second half performance.

Nevertheless, Leven refused to soften his stance as the press conference continued.

“We’re not asking for favours,” he said firmly. “All we want is fairness. Tonight we didn’t get it.”

The explosive remarks may now attract the attention of the Scottish Football Association, as public criticism of referees often leads to disciplinary review.

But Leven appeared unconcerned about potential consequences.

“If speaking honestly about what happened brings a fine, then so be it,” he said before leaving the press room. “My job is to stand up for this club and these players.”

With Aberdeen left frustrated and Celtic leaving Pittodrie with all three points, the controversy surrounding the match may continue long after the final whistle.

What should have been remembered as a tight and competitive encounter has instead become one of the most heated post match confrontations of the Scottish season.