Inter Milan vs Celtic: Virgil Van Dijk blames referee for San Siro red card

Bhoys star unhappy with the referee's performance in Italy

Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk after his dismissal last night (Reuters)

Celtic star Virgil Van Dijk has branded Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak 'horrible' after his dismissal during the Europa League defeat to Inter Milan.

The Scottish champions lost 4-3 on aggregate despite a spirited display at the San Siro while Van Dijk was sent off for a second bookable offence after just 36 minutes.

"I got a red card and I feel horrible. I need to learn from it. It's going to be tough," Van Dijk told BBC Scotland.

"The referee was horrible today. I want to apologise to my team-mates and to the fans who travelled.

"It was never a red card and everybody could see that, but he gave it. It's a terrible feeling for me now.

"If you look at the fouls, the first one was never a yellow card. It was maybe a foul - but never a yellow card.

"The second one was a 50-50 challenge in the air and we both go with the shoulder and he gave a yellow card because I think the striker asked for it. It is very disappointing.

"It is very difficult with 10 men to score a goal. After the red card, you're going to get trouble. They scored a beauty and the game was over.

"Now you're the worst player Celtic have, that's what they're going to say right now, but another day, you'll be the best player. That's an awful feeling."

Celtic manager Ronny Deila looks on (AP)

The 23-year-old also believes his teammate Stuart Armstrong should have been awarded a penalty for being pushed in the back inside the Inter box.

The Scottish Premiership leaders, however, must now turn their attentions to their domestic interests with a home match against Aberdeen coming up this Sunday before a League Cup final with Dundee United.

"We have a big chance to do it (the treble) and we want to do it," he said.