In a heated turn of events, Hearts manager Derek McInnes expressed his outrage over the decision to grant Celtic a last-minute penalty in their match against Motherwell, calling the decision “disgusting.” The dramatic scenes unfolded during a pivotal night in the title race, with Celtic ultimately securing a victory at Fir Park thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal from the spot in the 99th minute.
This dramatic conclusion has set up a tantalizing final-day clash between the league’s top two teams at Parkhead on Saturday. For Hearts, the equation is simple: avoiding defeat would crown them champions.
The controversy erupted when referee John Beaton, upon the recommendation of VAR official Andrew Dallas, reviewed an incident involving Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson and Celtic defender Auston Trusty. The match was balanced at 2-2 when Beaton concluded that Nicholson had committed a handball offense. However, the replay footage did little to support this decision, appearing inconclusive to many spectators.
The contentious penalty call sparked widespread debate, with former England striker Gary Lineker denouncing it as “the worst VAR decision I’ve ever seen.” Nonetheless, Iheanacho capitalized on the opportunity, converting the penalty and securing all three points for Celtic, a result that adds even more drama to an already thrilling title race.
With the match poised at 2-2, Beaton made the call that Nicholson had handled the ball even though the replays looked inconclusive at best.
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It was a moment of huge controversy — one former England striker Gary Lineker labelled ‘the worst VAR decision I’ve ever seen’ — with Iheanacho scoring the penalty to snatch all three points for Celtic.
McInnes, who saw his side denied two decent penalty shouts in their 1-1 draw at Motherwell last weekend, was fuming.
‘I heard there was a late penalty in the 96th minute — I didn’t need to ask who for,’ said the Hearts manager. ‘You just assume they are getting it.
‘It’s disgusting. We’re up against everybody. I don’t think it’s a penalty.
‘If I’m Motherwell, I’m really disappointed. It’s so poor and it looks as though [Celtic] have been given it. They are very fortunate.
‘I shouldn’t be commenting on another game, but I knew I was going to get asked the question. And having seen that, it feels like us against everybody.
‘When you see the two that we didn’t get at the weekend and then you see that, how they can arrive at that situation [is beyond me].
‘Celtic have, I’m sure, more than a touch of fortune at getting that penalty. But I’m getting more and more dismayed at some of the decisions that our referees are coming up with. It’s such a bad decision.
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‘Motherwell must feel totally aggrieved about it. I don’t see anything… I had to keep looking at it. I thought I was missing something when I was watching it.
‘I had to ask, what am I looking for here? It’s actually quite disgusting, to be honest. It feels like us against everybody.’
On social media, Lineker wrote: ‘This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen. Extraordinary given the significance.’
On a night of incredible drama in Scottish football, it looked like Hearts would be on the brink of winning the league title.
A routine 3-0 victory over Falkirk, coupled with Celtic toiling to a 2-2 draw in the closing stages away at Motherwell, looked like it was set to inch Hearts ever closer.
Had results stayed that way, they would have taken a three-point lead to Glasgow on Saturday as well as being six goals better off.
Seeking to win the club’s first league title in 66 years, Hearts now know they must avoid defeat at Celtic Park if they are to finish as champions.
It tees up a mouth-watering final-day showdown between McInnes and Martin O’Neill as this season’s title race reaches its conclusion.
Asked if he and his players can use the sense of injustice as motivation on Saturday, McInnes said: ‘Yeah, of course. And it will be like that.
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‘You’re going into 60,000. The place will be rocking. And we’ll look forward to it once it comes along.
‘I think for us, that type of game, that type of stage, we deserve that and we’ll look forward to it. We’re not going to shy away from it.
‘We’ve got a good record against Celtic. We know a point will do us. And I think at some point in the game, if that is the case, with 10, 15 minutes to go, then that might play a part. But certainly not for the start.
‘It’s going to the last game. We’re delighted to be part of it. To do it, we’re going to have to go and get a positive result. What a game it’s going to be.’
