Kelechi Iheanacho converted a penalty in the 99th minute, giving Celtic a 3-2 win over Motherwell after a controversial VAR decision, keeping them in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.
Celtic were awarded a penalty for handball in the closing stages (Image: Sky Sports)
Hearts manager Derek McInnes branded the penalty decision that kept Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race as “disgusting” after a dramatic night. Celtic beat Motherwell 3-2 with Kelechi Iheanacho converting a penalty in the 99th minute after a controversial VAR decision.
Hearts looked to be within reach of winning their first title in 66 years with a 3-0 win over Falkirk and a 2-2 draw with Celtic at Motherwell. However, referee John Beaton was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR after an accident caused by a long throw-in.
Celtic defender Auston Trusty went down claiming he had been grabbed by the elbow, but Beaton awarded a penalty for an obvious handball. Iheanacho kept his cool from the spot and scored with the final kick of the game, setting up Saturday’s title decider against Hearts.
This means Celtic will win the title if they beat Hearts on Saturday, but Hearts are at the top of the table by one point and can only draw. Hearts manager McInnes watched a replay of the incident before giving his post-match interview and was furious.
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“I think it’s disgusting. I don’t think it’s a penalty,” he told Sky Sports. “But we’re up to it, we’re up to everyone, and we’re ready for Saturday.
“There were two more cries for penalties in the game at Motherwell and if I were Motherwell I would be really disappointed to see that again.
“I think it’s too bad that they gave us that penalty. They were very lucky in that aspect and we have to realize that we are faced with everything. We just have to deal with Saturday’s game.”
Kelechi Iheanacho scores the penalty to give Celtic victory (Image: Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
Gary Lineker tweeted: “This may be the worst VAR call I’ve seen (and there’s a lot of competition). Extraordinary given its importance.”
Former Rangers striker Chris Boyd told Sky Sports about the decision: “If his head goes off at this pace, if it hits your hand, it’s going to fall right in front of you. It’s not going to fly away (as it did then).”
“Three big calls in the last three games. The penalty against Motherwell on Saturday, the red card against Johnston and then that night. It’s unbelievable.”
“There will be serious questions, and rightly so. Another questionable decision went in Celtic’s favor. If you throw the ball to someone and it hits your hand, the ball will drop several yards in front of you. You can’t get it out of your hands that far. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
Former Hearts forward Ryan Stephenson told BBC Sport Sound: “It’s a disgrace. In the recent West Ham v Arsenal game, VAR took six minutes because everyone knew what a big decision it was. What the hell was John Beaton in front of the monitor for, 20 seconds?”
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