‘Worst VAR decision ever’: Hearts rage at ‘disgusting’ Celtic penalty call which keeps title race alive
Celtic scored a last-minute winner at Motherwell after a controversial late VAR call, which means their final day clash against title rivals Hearts is a historic winner-takes-all showdown on Saturday
Hearts boss Derek McInnes slammed a “disgusting” late penalty awarded to Celtic on Wednesday night – which stretched a dramatic Scottish Premiership title race to the final day. Hearts, eyeing their first title in 66 years, had one hand on the trophy after their 3-0 win over Falkirk , with Celtic drawing 2-2 away at Motherwell. If it ended that way, Celtic would have needed to win by six goals or more in their final day showdown on Saturday to win the title.
However, Motherwell midfielder Sam Nicholson was penalised in the dying seconds for handball after a challenge in the air from a long throw. Yet replays do not show the ball clearly touching the hand; rather, Nicholson heads the ball away. 🟢 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 Nicholson’s elbow was also near a Celtic player challenging for the ball, but all signs indicate the penalty was given for handball.
The late decision and Kelechi Iheanacho’s subsequent conversion of the spot-kick means it is a winner-takes-all clash at Celtic Park on Saturday. A point ahead, Hearts would also seal the title with a draw. Yet upon seeing the penalty incident on replay, McInnes was in a state of disbelief, telling Sky Sports : “Having seen it again, it’s disgusting, it is.