Barry Robson faced the press after the 3-2 defeat to PAOK, and was asked about the penalty that was not given when his side were 2-1 ahead.

“Should we have had a penalty? We all know the answer. Look, I understand when referees make mistakes. We all do that, players, coaches, we’re all human, I’ve got no problem with that. But we took VAR into the game to look at incidents, to check them, watch them back six times, so if we still get it wrong, then that is a problem. How can they get that wrong?

“And if VAR didn’t check it [as has been suggested], what’s it doing here then? Everyone was claiming a penalty, so surely VAR has to check it? If they didn’t, that’s an even bigger worry with the system. We end up with no points because they haven’t done their job properly tonight.

“But I don’t want to make the story about VAR, I want to talk about how good my players were. I was so proud of the players tonight, they were outstanding and they gave me everything against a team who have unbelievable quality. They gave us another brilliant performance, tactically we were spot on and I was so proud of the players.

“We got stronger as the game went on, we started the second half so well, and to be 2-0 up against that side was something because they are a really top team. We should have come away with at least a point, but we’ve put in three good performances in Europe now and every time we’ve not got what we deserved.

“We had to make those three changes in the second half. Bojan and Connor were really struggling, Dante was suffering with cramp. When you press the way we did, they were drained so we had no choice but to take them off.

“We tried to get them on earlier but for some reason, the fourth official wouldn’t let them on, so it’s frustrating that when we did get them on, we conceded almost immediately. We were unfortunate that Richard slipped for the first goal, but what can you do about that? Jonny knows he could have done better with the header for the second goal, but even then they get fortunate with the deflection on the shot.

“We were disappointed and angry at the end, but there’ll be no sulking. The players won’t need lifting, we’ll bounce back. Just look at the performance, that will give them real belief and we’ll go into an important league game on Sunday and do everything we can to win that game.”