Celtic 99th Minute Penalty Causes Hearts Manager Fury

A 99th-minute penalty for Celtic has drastically changed the Scottish Premiership title race. Hearts manager Derek McInnes called the VAR decision 'disgusting'.
By Newsroom | Sports, Football |

VAR Decision Casts Shadow Over Title Showdown

The Scottish Premiership title race is poised on a knife's edge, heading into the final day after a contentious 99th-minute penalty awarded to Celtic. The spot-kick, controversially granted via a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention, snatched a last-gasp victory for Celtic against Motherwell. This dramatic turn of events denies Hearts a chance to have potentially secured the league crown before the final fixture, leaving their manager, Derek McInnes, incandescent with rage.

McInnes labelled the decision "disgusting," a strong indictment of the officiating that has, in his view, tilted the balance of the championship. Hearts had been on the cusp of celebrating league victory themselves, having convincingly beaten Falkirk 3-0 earlier on the same day. This win, coupled with Celtic's drawn game at Fir Park until that final moment, would have seen Hearts leading by a significant margin on goal difference, necessitating only a modest defeat in their final match against Celtic to lift the trophy.

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Hearts' McInnes rages at 'disgusting' Celtic penalty - 1

McInnes Sees a Wider Struggle

The Hearts head coach expressed a feeling of being “up against everybody,” a sentiment that seems to extend beyond the pitch. His ire appears directed not just at the specific penalty incident but also at what he perceives as a broader campaign or set of circumstances working against his team.

This sentiment is underscored by pre-existing disquiet within the Hearts camp. Reports indicate the club had already been nursing grievances over a "curious non-award of a penalty" during their own match against Motherwell on Saturday. This prior incident, compounded by the late drama involving Celtic, fuels McInnes’ belief that his side faces an uphill battle beyond their immediate opponents.

Title Race Goes Down to the Wire

The convoluted events ensure a high-stakes finale. Hearts, despite the penalty controversy, still have a strong chance to claim the title. They are not reliant on a specific outcome in their upcoming match against Celtic, needing only to avoid a significant defeat to secure the championship, a scenario previously outlined as needing to "avoid a three-goal defeat". However, McInnes’ team, boasting a "good record against Celtic," states they are "not going to shy away from it" and are geared for victory, not mere draws. The final match is scheduled for Saturday.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Hearts manager Derek McInnes angry about the Celtic penalty on May 11th?
McInnes is angry because a 99th-minute penalty awarded to Celtic after a VAR check cost Hearts a potential title win before the final game. He called the decision 'disgusting'.
Q: How did Celtic's penalty affect the title race?
The late penalty means the Scottish Premiership title race will be decided on the final day. Hearts had previously won their match, thinking they were close to winning the league.
Q: What happened in Hearts' previous game against Motherwell?
Hearts had already felt unfairly treated by officials in a previous match against Motherwell, where they believe a penalty was wrongly not given to them.
Q: What must Hearts do to win the title now?
Hearts must now avoid a significant defeat, specifically a three-goal loss, in their final match against Celtic to win the league title. They have a good record against Celtic and aim to win.
Q: When is the final match that decides the title?
The final match that will decide the Scottish Premiership title is scheduled for Saturday.