A 99th-minute penalty converted by Kelechi Iheanacho gave Celtic a 3-2 win over Motherwell on Wednesday, denying Hearts the breathing room they needed and forcing the Scottish Premiership title race to a final-day decider, according to BBC Sport.
Hearts had been cruising to a 3-0 win over Falkirk when Motherwell's late equaliser against Celtic briefly appeared to leave the Glasgow club three points behind with just one match remaining. Then, deep in injury time, video assistant referee Andrew Dallas called referee John Beaton to the pitchside monitor after Motherwell's Sam Nicholson challenged for a high ball.
Replays appeared to show the ball striking Nicholson's head rather than his raised hand, but Beaton awarded the penalty. Iheanacho converted, and Celtic had their 3-2 win.
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes was furious after the match. "When you heard Celtic had a 96th-minute penalty going to VAR, you just assume they get it," he told Sky Sports. "It's disgusting. We're up against it, we're up against everybody. I don't think it's a penalty. It's so poor and it looks as though [Celtic] have been given it. They have been very fortunate."
Former England striker Gary Lineker weighed in on X, writing that it "might be the worst VAR decision I've seen... extraordinary given the significance."
The handball law allows for significant interpretation, particularly when a player's arm is at or above shoulder height, which courts a penalty call regardless of intent. In this case, Nicholson's arm was raised during an aerial challenge, and the VAR determined the ball made contact. Critics of the decision pointed to the direction the ball bounced as evidence it came off his head, not his arm.
Had Celtic dropped points Wednesday, Hearts could have lost by two goals at Celtic Park on Saturday and still been crowned champions for the first time since 1960. That margin is now gone. Hearts must avoid defeat at Celtic Park to become the first side outside of Celtic or Rangers to win the Scottish top flight in four decades.
McInnes did not back down from the challenge. "It's going to the last game. We're delighted to be part of it," he said. "To do it, we're going to have to go and get a positive result. I'm looking forward to it already, there'll be no feeling sorry for ourselves. What a game it's going to be."
The two clubs meet Saturday with the title on the line.
