NEIL Lennon has called on referees to show some common sense after Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored a last-gasp winner but was then dismissed for his celebrations.

It ensured a controversial end to the game with the acrimony between Celtic and Caley then spilling into the tunnel after the players left the field at the final whistle.

Insults were exchanged between both sets of players and it's believed that police urged referee Iain Brines to step in and sort out the aggression otherwise they would take charge.

There will be no repercussions from the incident as Brines spoke to the managers, but took no further action.

Lennon, though, believes whistlers could be a little more sensible when it comes to applying the letter of the law.

"It's just a nonsense, really," said the Hoops captain. "I think it's really petty, especially when Jan's running to his own fans to celebrate.

"What else are you supposed to do? It's the end of the game, he's just won us the game and he's ecstatic about it.

"People will say the referee is doing it by the book, but some referees could show a bit more common sense.

"He was booked for telling the ref it was our throw-in which led to their goal and it was, so I think both bookings were a bit harsh.

"I caught the back end of what went on in the tunnel. It was just a few heated exchanges and I don't think there was too much in it."

Meanwhile, despite the fact that Celtic's injury problems continue, Lennon believes that the current squad will cope until the end of the season.

"I don't know what the situation is with bringing in players or whether there will be players leaving but I think the squad is strong enough," he said.

"The injuries did disrupt us a bit against Inverness, but I was more concerned that we took our foot off the pedal in the second-half.

"You know it is always going to be hard against Inverness so we were grateful for the three points.

"A draw wouldn't have been disastrous and although we have probably nicked it, it's a great run for us."

"I thought that Caley Thistle played well, but they always do against us and I have a lot of respect for what they have achieved since they came in to the SPL."

Inverness goalscorer Bayne was disappointed with his side's late capitulation, but paid tribute to Celtic's battling qualities.

He said: "When you hear on the tannoy that there is only two minutes to go then you think you have done enough to earn a point.

"But that is why they are the champions, because they always keep going to the end.

"It is annoying, but the amount of times Celtic score in the last five minutes to win matches is testament to them." Caley boss left reeling

Inverness boss Charlie Christie felt his side deserved better than their injury-time defeat to Celtic. He said: "We are absolutely gutted. We deserved more out of that game, you could argue we deserved to win it.

"It's a really sore one to take. The players are really feeling down. But if we keep playing like that we are a match for anybody."

Christie confirmed he would seek to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes after losing Dennis Wyness to a dislocated shoulder a week after Craig Dargo suffered the same injury.