Sean Dillon fury over Virgil van Dijk's tackle

And Dillon accused the Celtic defender of leaving his foot in after a first-half challenge that resulted in a three-inch gash on his leg.

The United skipper, above, had to go off for extensive treatment and during the six minutes he was off the pitch Celtic opened the scoring through Kris Commons.

But Dillon was disappointed by Van Dijk’s challenge.

He said: “I think he left his leg in, I didn’t like it. I get the ball, he gets my leg, and they get a throw-in. So that’s very frustrating.

“I’m not going to exaggerate it but it’s a big gash, about three inches long maybe, and I needed seven stitches in it. It wasn’t like I was just sitting in the dressing room chilling out. 

“As soon as it was done I was back out. But they needed time to make sure it was done right. It wasn’t like it was only one stitch. 

“There was a bit of work to do. I’m grateful they got me back out there, but then I don’t even last the rest of the game.”

“I’m very disappointed for the lads, the manager, the staff, the fans and my family. It’s very frustrating. I saw the goal on the telly in the dressing room, so I knew we were one down. 

“At the time the injury was quite painful but the physio and the two doctors did a great job stitching me up. 

“It was basically just to get me back out there as quickly as they could. Blair Spittal was getting ready to come on, so I feel for him, but obviously I was delighted to be given the chance to play on.”

Dillon failed to see out the game as he was red-carded after 55 minutes for a studs-up challenge on Emilio Izaguirre.

And the Irishman knows his challenge gave referee Bobby Madden a decision to make.

He said: “I was chasing my touch. I get in front of Stokes and the ball is getting away from me and I’m trying to get it. There was no malice in it. I wasn’t trying to hurt the guy. 

“But because it’s a little bit high I’m giving the referee the chance to send me off. I have to take responsibility for that. 

“I thought he was going to only give me a yellow. That’s what I was expecting. I think it was the linesman that gave the decision. He’s taken his time with it.”

Dillon insisted United were frustrated Madden turned down a first-half penalty when Ryan Dow appeared to be fouled by Scott Brown inside the area.

He said: From speaking to the boys and Dowser they felt it was a penalty. That’s what happens. These are the decisions you don’t get. The same decisions that have gone for them haven’t gone for us. They’ve turned out to be big decisions.

“There are decisions that have gone against us today. If they had gone for us would we be winners instead? I don’t know.”