Hearts manager Derek McInnes has blasted the decision to award Celtic a dramatic stoppage-time penalty against Motherwell, branding the call “disgusting” as the Scottish Premiership title race heads into a final-day showdown.
While Hearts cruised to a commanding 3-0 victory over Falkirk at Tynecastle, attention quickly shifted to Fir Park, where Celtic snatched a dramatic 3-2 win thanks to a controversial late spot-kick converted by Kelechi Iheanacho.
The result means Hearts remain top of the table by just one point ahead of Saturday’s decisive clash with Celtic at Parkhead.
Furthermore, McInnes’ men also carry a superior goal difference into the title decider.
Despite his side taking care of business in Edinburgh, McInnes could not hide his frustration over the penalty awarded deep into stoppage time at Motherwell.
“Everybody was just interested in the (Celtic) score. So when you hear Celtic get a 96th-minute penalty (VAR decision), you just assume what’s happened is they get the penalty,” he told Sky Sports.
“And having seen it again, I think it’s disgusting, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.
“But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody and we’ll be ready for Saturday.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. If I’m Motherwell, I’m really disappointed with that.
“I’ve seen it (the replay) before I came out to speak to you and I think it’s so poor that they’ve been given that penalty. And it looks as if they’ve been ‘given’ it.
“I think they’ve been very fortunate, very fortunate on that side. And we have to realise we’re up against everything.”
Meanwhile, Hearts handled their own assignment professionally as they swept aside Falkirk in front of a buzzing Tynecastle crowd.
Frankie Kent opened the scoring with a towering header before Cameron Devlin doubled the advantage just five minutes later with a clinical finish inside the area.
As the title tension intensified across Scotland, Blair Spittal wrapped up the victory late on with a composed curling effort.
Now, all roads lead to Celtic Park on Saturday, where Hearts know avoiding defeat will secure a historic first Scottish title in 66 years.
With emotions already boiling over before kick-off, the stage is perfectly set for a dramatic finale to the Premiership season.
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