Hearts manager Derek McInnes said the penalty awarded to Celtic’s last-gasp winner against Motherwell was “disgusting”.
Celtic’s match at Fir Park went into the 100th minute tied at 2-2, with Hearts set to be crowned champions at Celtic Park having just beaten Falkirk 3-0, live on Sky Sports at lunchtime on Saturday.
As things stand, Celtic would have needed to beat Hearts by more than three goals in the final day’s showdown to close the goal difference. Hearts were seen as heavy favorites to win their first title in 66 years.
But instead a controversial penalty was awarded to the defending champions after a VAR check, with referee John Beaton ruling that Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson had committed a handball when he took a long throw into the box.
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VAR awarded Celtic a penalty in the closing minutes after the ball appeared to hit Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson in the hands after a throw-in, but Kelechi Iheanacho made no mistake as he converted from the spot.
Kelechi Iheanacho converted the spot-kick with the last kick of the game for Celtic, who won 3-2 and will now face league leaders Hearts, who are one point behind.
But did the ball hit Nicholson’s hand or head?
Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson awarded penalty for handball against Celtic
In the Sky Sports studio, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd was adamant that the ball hit Nicholson’s head, and McInnes was also convinced that the penalty should not have been awarded.
“I think it’s disgusting. I don’t think it was a penalty,” McInnes told Sky Sports. “But we’re up to it, we’re up to everyone, and we’re ready for Saturday.
“In the Motherwell game there were two more cries for penalties. If I were Motherwell I would watch that again and be really disappointed. I think it was too bad they were awarded that penalty.”
“They have been very lucky in that respect and we have to realize that we are facing everything.
“I just have to go deal with the game on Saturday.”
Was the penalty decision correct?
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VAR late penalty call in Motherwell’s dying moments against Celtic causes uproar from Sky Sports experts
As the long throw went in, Nicholson jumped up with Celtic’s Auston Trusty and attempted a header.
Nicholson raised his elbow, but Trustee’s shoulder pushed him further, and he jumped with him, raising his hand near his face.
“If it hit his hand, his arm would go up,” former Celtic striker Chris Sutton said on co-commentary.
However, Sky Sports studio experts were not convinced that the ball hit Nicholson’s hand.
Former Rangers striker Chris Boyd said: “For it to fly over your head at this pace, if it hits your hand it’s going to land right in front of you. It’s not going to fly away (as it did).”
Former Hearts striker and manager John Robertson said: “I don’t know if it hit the hand or not, but I think it was the head. His hand was up and if it hit the hand it would have been a penalty.”
Former Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley said: “The power is on so we need a throw-in. I haven’t really seen Celtic players complaining about penalties. I just thought it was a throw-in.”
“His hand is up and it’s obviously off his head. It’s a header. It’s quite difficult to see. They (Celtic) are lucky.”
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The decision also divided opinion between Celtic and Motherwell managers.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill believed it was a penalty and insisted Nicholson had elbowed Trusty even though it was not a handball.
“Obviously we earned a penalty, it seems pretty obvious,” O’Neill said. “He gave it for the handball and even gave it an elbow there as well.
“Of course, I’m happy for the team and for the supporters.”
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Martin O’Neill after the jubilant result against Motherwell
In contrast, Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou said: “I think the big question is, what are we doing here when something like that is happening? It’s a complete shock. I thought I’d been watching all year, but apparently I hadn’t. It’s shocking. It’s disappointing for the game.”
“I think we did everything we could and should have done to finish the game. Fir Park have been really strong this season and it was a great game of football between two teams with both teams doing well throughout the game and we finished where we started.”
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Highlights of the Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic.
“Coming back from 2-1, I think we did it really, really strong. It felt completely unreal and no matter how you look at it on TV or how you read the situation, I don’t see anything in the rule book that could lead to a penalty.
“Even if he touched it with his claws, it’s because there was contact when he went up and his arm was here and pushed there, so it’s not a penalty anyway.
“Let’s say he actually touches his hands. You can’t see it from any angle… You also see how the ball gets its power, how the kid connects with his head and the ball has a lot of power as it passes. It’s crazy to be a part of this. And I think this game deserves much better than that.”
