Celtic's 99th-minute VAR penalty 'disgusting', says Hearts boss - why was it given? Was it right call?

AberdeenCelticDundeeDundee UnitedHeartsHibernianLivingstonMotherwellRangersSt. MirrenScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsCeltic’s 99th-minute VAR penalty ‘disgusting’, says Hearts boss – why was it given? Was it right call? Sky Sports Football Share articleHearts manager Derek McInnes has said the decision to award Celtic a 99th-minute winning penalty against Motherwell was “disgusting” as the Scottish title race goes down to the final day. Kelechi Iheanacho’s controversially awarded spot-kick gave Celtic a 3-2 victory at Fir Park and ensured that Martin O’Neill’s side are just one point behind leaders Hearts, who they host on the final day of the season on Saturday. Motherwell and Celtic were tied at 2-2 deep into stoppage time when Celtic defender Auston Trusty went down after it appeared he had been caught by a stray elbow from Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson. Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor to check for a handball, for which he awarded a spot-kick. “It’s disgusting. It is. I don’t think it’s a penalty kick,” Hearts manager McInnes said of the incident, following his own side’s 3-0 win over Falkirk. “But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody. We’ll be ready for Saturday.” Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou was similary scathing of the incident: “What are we even doing here? I’m in total shock. I thought I’d seen it all this year, but I hadn’t. It’s shocking, it’s a shame for the game.” Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said the decision was “clear cut”, adding: ‘There was a handball alongside an elbow.” Celtic now must defeat Hearts on the final day of the season to win the league. Had they drawn against Motherwell, they would have required a three-goal victory. Analysis by former Premier League referee Graham Scott Like many viewers, I was somewhat baffled by the decision to award Celtic a penalty in added time at Motherwell. For the first time since their recent introduction, I was bemoaning the lack of an on-field announcement so I could discover what the penalty was for. Usually, they add little value, but here it could have been invaluable. Motherwell’s Nicholson used his arm to gain leverage, protect himself and fend off Celtic’s Trusty, but I could not see an offence that was worthy of such a harsh sanction. The ball may have brushed Nicholson’s hand in the duel, but there is no evidence of a deliberate act, and his hand and arm were in line with part of his body, which is usually sufficient mitigation for the referee to play on and the VAR to leave well alone. An announcement might have helped clear up the mystery, although even then I would have taken some convincing that this VAR intervention was correct. 🟢 Here's the incident that resulted in Celtic's winning penalty at Fir Park, following a VAR check! Motherwell vs Celtic & Hearts vs Falkirk reaction | Sky Sports Football now 📺 pic.twitter.com/kwFO6mOH7t — Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 13, 2026 Hearts lead Celtic by one point at the top of the standings going into their Saturday showdown at Celtic Park. A draw or win would see Hearts win the league, while Celtic need a victory to triumph. The battle for the Scottish top-flight title is traditionally between the two Glasgow rivals, Celtic and Rangers, who have won 55 league titles apiece and, between them, have won the league in each of the last 41 seasons. The last title-winning team outside of the two Glasgow clubs, known as the Old Firm, was Aberdeen in 1985 when Sir Alex Ferguson managed them to success before leaving to join Manchester United the following year. This year, though, Hearts emerged as a surprising third challenger. The Edinburgh-based club have not won the league since 1960. The last time they finished as high as second was in 2006 and they have been relegated twice since then, and were most recently promoted again to the top flight in 2021. Hearts received a £10million investment in the summer from Tony Bloom, the owner of the Premier League’s Brighton & Hove Albion, who received a 29 per cent stake in the club. Celtic have dominated in recent years, winning 14 out of the last 15 league titles. Rangers spent four of those seasons in the lower divisions due to a financial crisis that saw them enter administration and liquidation, before the club was sold to a new company and relegated to the fourth tier. After returning to the top flight, Rangers eventually interrupted Celtic’s period of control in the 2020-21 campaign under Steven Gerrard. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms