Hearts boss Derek McInnes labels controversial penalty decision ‘disgusting’ after Celtic snatch late win - live reaction | OneFootball

Hearts boss Derek McInnes described the controversial last-minute penalty awarded to Celtic to take the Scottish Premiership title race down to the final day as “disgusting”.

Hearts, bidding to win a first league title since 1960, were on course to take a three-point advantage and a superior goal difference to Celtic Park for a final day shoot-out after beating Falkirk 3-0.

Celtic, though, kept the title in their hands as Kelechi Iheanacho’s 99th-minute penalty secured a 3-2 win at Motherwell, but in highly dubious circumstances as Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson was ruled to have handled.

Nicholson, though, appeared to have headed the ball away and it left McInnes feeling it was “us against everybody” in the title race. “It’s such a bad decision,” McInnes said. “It is quite disgusting, to be honest.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker agreed, posting on X: “This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen (and there’s a lot of competition). Extraordinary given the significance.”

Hearts can still win the title if they avoid defeat at Celtic on Saturday, while the hosts need to win to claim a 14th title in 15 years and momentum is on their side after six wins in a row.

Ally McCoist wants VAR scrapped and says Scottish football ‘a laughing stock’

Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist claims Scottish football must get rid of VAR or continue looking like “absolute clowns”.

Scottish football’s refereeing standards have come into sharp focus after the penalty award that made Celtic favourites for the title.

McCoist called it a “horrendous decision that has, once again, embarrassed Scottish football”.

The former Scotland international added on talkSPORT: “If anything good has come out of it, it was that awful a decision that the whole country is talking about it.

“We must get rid of VAR, particularly in Scotland. Because instead of helping officials, it’s making us look like absolute clowns. We are a laughing stock.”

Hearts take ‘us against everybody’ approach into Celtic showdown

n a corner of Celtic Park, a small pocket of around 750 fans will gather in the hope of witnessing a day many believed would never come.

They will be the lucky few successful in the ballot for the tiny allocation of away tickets as Hearts attempt to make history and win a first league title in 66 years.

As if to underline the size of their collective task, they will be outnumbered by around 80 to one.

Backed by a home crowd of 60,000, Celtic need any sort of win to lift a 14th title in 15 seasons, while Hearts require at least a draw to become the first team outside of the Old Firm to be crowned champions since 1985.

Jamie Braidwood14 May 2026 16:58

Lawrence Shankland: 'We go there confident. It's a 90-minute cup final'

"We were fully prepared for going to Celtic Park at the weekend and needing a result. Obviously we were aware the situation could have changed but all that was in our heads was to win tonight and go again at the weekend.

"We've been there and won a couple of times during my time as a Hearts player. We go there confident and we've been top of the league all season.

"It's a 90-minute cup final, it's as simple as that. If you offered us that at the start of the season we would have taken it all day.

"It's going to be two teams looking to go for it and going for a title and it'll be exciting for everyone."

Hearts will be going into the 'lion's den' against Celtic

Hearts boss Derek McInnes: “We’re going into a stadium of 60,000, the place will be rocking. We'll look forward to it once it comes along. I think for us to have that type of game, that type of stage, we deserve that and we look forward to it. We're not gonna shy away from it, we've got a good record against Celtic.

“Martin's done a brilliant job in getting Celtic where they are. It's not winner take all because we can get a point, but it's difficult. Players are tuned to win, managers are tuned to win. So you don't go for 90-odd minutes and just play for a draw.

“It’s going to feel like going into the lion’s den. Even though we've been top of the league since September or so, we’re still going to be the underdog.

“For us to be competing with Celtic, with the money they've got and everything they've got at their disposal, it's a huge effort for our team and we look forward to it.”

Hearts boss Derek McInnes could not believe Celtic's late penalty call (PA)

Jamie Braidwood14 May 2026 10:34

What do Hearts need to win the league? Scottish Premiership title permutations

How can Hearts win the league on Saturday? After a thrilling title race full of twists and turns, it all comes down to Saturday lunchtime.

If Hearts win, they win the title. If Hearts draw, they win the title. But if they lose, it will now be Celtic’s championship.

What do Celtic need on the final day? It’s simple for Celtic: they must beat Hearts on Saturday.

Their last-minute winner on Wednesday means they no longer have to win by six goals. A win, no matter the score, will do the job.

What happens if they finish level on points? The tiebreakers are goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head points. But the teams now cannot finish level on points.

Jamie Braidwood14 May 2026 10:04

In an increasingly controversial title race, Hearts now know what they’re up against

For Hearts, the task remains the same as was expected before tonight: Derek McInnes and his players will need to go to Celtic on Saturday and avoid defeat to the champions of 13 of the last 14 years on the final day of the season.

But the sense of Celtic’s inevitability feels greater now after Kelechi Iheanacho’s 99th-minute penalty, awarded by VAR for a handball in the Motherwell area.

The evidence that the ball struck the hand of the Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson when he headed away a long throw in stoppage time appeared to be inconclusive, to say the least.

In an increasingly controversial title race, Hearts now know what they’re up against

After beating Falkirk at a raucous Tynecastle, Hearts found out that Celtic’s 99th-minute equaliser, via a ‘disgusting’ penalty, will instead take a dramatic title race to the final day

Jamie Braidwood, at Tynecastle14 May 2026 09:34

'Another dubious call that goes in Celtic's favour'

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd was also stunned by the decision. “It clearly hits his head,” he told Sky Sports. “If it hits your hand, it just drops down at your feet.

“The non-red card for Alistair Johnston against Rangers and now that tonight. Another dubious call that goes in Celtic's favour. Questions will be asked.”

Jamie Braidwood14 May 2026 08:34