MARTIN McMILLAN April 05 2006

DION Dublin yesterday insisted Celtic will be worthy champions, despite claims by Valdas Ivanauskas, the Hearts caretaker manager, that poor refereeing decisions had cost the Tynecastle side the Bank of Scotland Premierleague title.

The Parkhead striker said: "We deserve to be where we are through our hard work and good football. There are other teams that think they should have possibly won the league after starting better than us.

"But it's plain to see that if you are the most consistent team, win most games and don't let in many goals then you are going to get the most points.

"That's what Celtic have done. Who has got the most points in the league? It's us."

Ivanauskas, who is still bitter about the sending off of Takis Fyssas when Celtic beat Hearts 3-2 at Tynecastle on New Year's Day, even though the player's red card was downgraded to a yellow on appeal, said such decisions had been costly.

Asked if Hearts would still be challenging for the league if they had won that match, the Lithuanian coach said: "Yes, it was a big chance, but we've had many games after that in which we have lost points.

"I think the red card for Takis was nothing, the same foul was committed by Bobo Baldé on Davidas Cesnauskis, so it should have been the same red card. The referee, for me, can be good and bad. Everyone can make mistakes.

"I don't think he made extra mistakes against Hearts, but when I remember the foul by Baldé on Cesnauskis was not punished and the same foul by Takis ended up with a red card it's a joke."

Second-placed Hearts are 17 points behind Celtic and Dublin admitted the sacking of George Burley and Graham Rix during the season had worked against the Edinburgh side.

"I don't know what's been going on there," said the 36-year-old. "They have been going through a lot of staff.

"I've never experienced anything like that, but it seems a little strange to be going through so many staff in such a short period of time. That can't be good for the players."

Although the destination of the title looks a formality, Dublin added: "There's no-one in our dressing room treating it in a blasé manner.

"It's still a working dressing room – the only thing we have done so far is win the CIS cup. We are several points ahead in the league and everyone is expecting us to do it against Hearts.

"But there's plenty to be done – it might sound silly, but nothing has been won yet."

Dublin admitted it would be a dream come true to add the title to his cup medal. The versatile player is five appearances short of a second gong, but he is keeping his fingers crossed.

He explained: "Playing in Scotland hadn't entered my head in any shape or form, let alone playing for Celtic.

"It's nice to be here and able to win things. Being involved in the final was great, but now I have a chance to play in a league-winning team.

"I am 36, nearly 37, so why wouldn't I be smiling and enjoying it? I've enjoyed every minute of it.

"It would be amazing to have my name on a plaque on the wall, but I want to get the appearances to earn a medal."

Strachan has played down his own part in Celtic's success, but that does not wash with Dublin, who said: "The manager can take massive credit.

"He's very intense when it comes to training. He puts his points across and he wants to see them taken on board. That's what's been happening since I've been here."

Meanwhile, following Hearts' 4-0 Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hibs on Sunday, Tynecastle goalkeeper Craig Gordon admits they are desperate to delay Celtic's title celebrations as the Edinburgh club bid to increase the gap between them and Rangers in the race for second place and a Champions League berth.

He said: "We have got to go through believing we can win the game and spoil the party.

"It's clear Celtic are going to win the league at some point, we just don't want it to be in this game. We must go there and take something from the game."

Taken from the Herald