Celtic boss Martin O'Neill takes umbrage at VAR call as major injury concern emerges for Rangers match

Nygren stepped off the bench on the hour mark against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and netted seven minutes later to earn a 2-1 victory after a Kevin Nisbet penalty for the Dons cancelled out Kieran Tierney's early opener.

The result moved Celtic second in the table, five points behind leaders Hearts and a point clear of Rangers in third. The top three have nine matches left to play.

“The subs in recent weeks have made big contributions, that’s important for us," said O'Neill. "Our third game in six days, that was tough. We knew it was going to be tough, but we saw it through anyway.

"Nygren's doing something that’s the most difficult thing in the game. He’s popped up again with the winning goal."

Nygren's goal was subject of a long VAR check. "It took a long time," O'Neill admitted. "Then the fourth official is telling me they are looking at two pictures. You’re worried but we saw it through.

"It’s hard to score goals. When we scored the first goal early on, I thought that was the time to push forward and try and get the second. It was a tough old second-half. We had to take risks, create chances but at the same time try not to concede a goal. That was possible - but Nygren comes up with the goods.

“It was a big win. It certainly helps and keeps us at least for a little while in the race.”

O'Neill also questioned whether Celtic should have been awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time when a Sebastian Tounekti cross struck Jack Milne's arm. The incident was checked by VAR before being cleared. "I don’t know about you, but I thought we should’ve had a penalty in the first-half," queried O'Neill. "His hand was in an unnatural position, but it was a tough game."

Celtic now head to Ibrox to face Rangers for the second time in seven days on Sunday when they meet their Old Firm rivals in the Scottish Cup quarter-final. They have a major injury doubt, though, after centre-half Dane Murray was withdrawn from the starting XI half-an-hour before kick-off due to an injury.

"Dane felt his thigh" confirmed O'Neill, who said Murray will be assessed further on Thursday. "I’d have to think he would be [a doubt for Rangers]. He’s come in, been treated and we’ll see tomorrow morning. I’m hoping it’s not doom and gloom but I’d be concerned about it.”

Brentford loanee Benjamin Arthur stepped in for Murray at short notice in what was his first start for the club. “I thought he did fine," added O'Neill. "Half an hour beforehand he might’ve been wondering if he was going to get on. Then he comes into the game. I thought he really did fine."