A highly contested penalty in the ninth minute of added time propelled Celtic to a 3-2 victory over Motherwell on Tuesday. This late flourish has extended the Scottish Premiership title race, setting up a definitive clash against leaders Hearts at Celtic Park this Saturday. Hearts, who defeated Falkirk 3-0, currently maintain a one-point lead at the summit.
The controversial spot-kick, awarded for an alleged handball against Motherwell's Sam Nicholson, has ignited debate. Critics, including former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson, contend the ball struck Nicholson's head and that the video assistant referee (VAR) check was unduly brief. The pivotal moment, decided by referee John Beaton, now casts a long shadow over the league's conclusion.
Title in the Balance
Celtic's victory at Fir Park, where they had previously come back from a goal down to lead, was cemented by Kelechi Iheanacho's penalty. The result ensures that Celtic needs only a win of any kind on Saturday to secure the championship. Hearts, meanwhile, are pursuing their first league title in 66 years, having kept their part of the bargain with their decisive win over Falkirk.
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The title will be decided when Celtic host Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Celtic now trail Hearts by a single point.
A win for Celtic on Saturday will make them champions.
Lingering Doubts
The penalty decision has been widely scrutinized. Commentators and former players have questioned the VAR's assessment, with suggestions that the ball made contact with Nicholson's head rather than his hand. The speed of the review has also been a point of contention, with some suggesting insufficient time was taken to scrutinize the incident.
"Looking at the footage we've just watched, it's made huge contact with Sam Nicholson's head because of the trajectory the ball takes. I don't know how you can conclusively say that is handball." - Darren O'Dea
"It's a disgrace. John Beaton was at the monitor for what, 20 seconds?" - Ryan Stevenson
"When they were checking a 96th minute penalty, you assume they [Celtic] are getting it." - Derek McInnes
Background
Prior to the controversial late penalty, the match between Motherwell and Celtic saw both sides exchange goals. Motherwell initially took the lead through Elliot Watt, only for Daizen Maeda to equalize before halftime. After Celtic had regained the lead, Motherwell's Liam Gordon found an 85th-minute equalizer before the late penalty drama unfolded. Hearts secured their win against Falkirk with goals from Frankie Kent, Cameron Devlin, and Blair Spittal. This sequence of results ensures a dramatic finish to the season, with the championship outcome uncertain until the final whistle.
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