CELTIC have blasted back at comments made by former Hearts chairman Leslie Deans after last week's clash between the two clubs.

Deans claimed that the match should have been replayed or his former side should have been awarded the three points after winger Barrie McKay was struck with a bottle from the stands.

“I’m absolutely staggered that there has been no public apology from Celtic to Hearts, Barrie McKay or both,” Deans said.

“A player in their stadium has been assaulted at least once, possibly more. It’s staggering that they have not commented.

“You can well understand that Celtic are embarrassed by this but the fact is it happened. The football authorities have got to take action on this to show everybody thinking along these lines that something will be done. If this had happened under the auspices of UEFA, Celtic would have been thrown out of the competition.

“The very least that should happen here is that the game should be replayed. In fact, there is an argument to say Hearts should be awarded the points.

“Why is that? Well, how can a player concentrate on his job while standing there wondering: ‘What’s coming at me next? I’ve had coins, pies, bottles – is it going to be a dart next?’ You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t think that way.

“Also, if indeed the referee did tell Barrie McKay that stewards were in place [to deal with the issue], then clearly these stewards weren’t doing their jobs.

“The referee should have taken the players off the park when the missiles started and instructed a tannoy announcement that the game would be delayed for ten minutes. The announcement should also have made it clear that, if there was any repeat when play restarted, then the game would be abandoned.

“Thankfully there was no serious injury to any player but it might be different next time. I will await with interest the outcome of this. While it’s right that nobody comments on the case of the individual arrested, that does not stop comment being made.”

Celtic have now hit back at Deans in a furious statement claiming that the former Tynecastle chief was "inaccurate" with his statement.

“His comments are inaccurate," a spokesperson told the Daily Record.

"He is clearly unaware that we have already made comment and that we were in contact with Hearts immediately after the incident, which is being handled appropriately.”