Hearts boss Derek McInnes labels controversial penalty decision ‘disgusting’ after Celtic snatch late win – live reaction

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou was as enraged over the penalty decision as Derek McInnes.

“I think the big question is, what are we even doing here, when things like that happen? I’m in total shock. I thought I’d seen it all this year, but apparently I haven’t. It’s shocking, it’s a shame for the game.

“Let’s say he actually did touch his hands, which I can’t see, no matter what angle I look at… Also, you can see the way the ball gets power, where the kid connects with the head and has a lot of power when it goes through. It’s a crazy thing to be part of, and I think the game deserved a lot better than that.”

“It feels like us against everybody. When you see the two [decisions] that we didn’t get at the weekend and then you see that… How they can arrive at that situation? Celtic have a touch, more than a touch, of fortune in getting that penalty. I’m getting more and more dismayed at some of the decisions that our referees are coming up with.

“It’s such a bad decision. Motherwell must feel totally aggrieved with it. I had to keep looking at it. thought I was missing something when I was watching it. I had to ask, what am I looking for here? It’s actually quite disgusting.”

“I think Martin [O’Neill] deserves a lot of credit, because they’re on such a good run of form.

“Us and Celtic have been the best teams over the last wee while. Obviously we’ve been top of the league for a long time, but like any true champion, there’s a pride there and you can see that. I think what Martin’s done is made Celtic more of a team than individuals.

“I thought that looking at the Old Firm game at the weekend and I think that comes from the manager. So sometimes in life you’ve just got to go and beat the champion again and take what you want to be yours, whether it’s boxing or any sort of sport.

“So that’s what it looks like we’re gonna have to do. We don’t need to win, but certainly need to get down there and put in a performance, and it’s set up perfectly.”

Derek McInnes on feeling “flat” at full-time despite Hearts going into the final day at the top of the table.

“It’s hard not to feel that everybody felt a bit flat and it wasn’t your normal final home game.

“I’d heard there was a 96th minute penalty… I didn’t need to ask who for, and it was going to VAR. Obviously it’s Celtic who have scored.”

The last time two opponents went head-to-head for the title on the final day of the season was 1991, when Rangers beat Aberdeen at Ibrox.

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Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland stopped by BBC Sportsound and spoke about the title race.

He said: “We were fully prepared for going to Celtic Park at the weekend and needing a result. Obviously we were aware the situation could have changed but all that was in our heads was to win tonight and go again at the weekend.

“We’ve been there and won a couple of times during my time as a Hearts player. We go there confident and we’ve been top of the league all season.

“It’s a 90-minute cup final, it’s as simple as that. If you offered us that at the start of the season we would have taken it all day.

“It’s going to be two teams looking to go for it and going for a title and it’ll be exciting for everyone.”

This season Hearts have been in the type of form that wins league titles. They are now just 90 minutes away from securing a historic win but it is Celtic who stand in their way.

But, Hearts are unbeaten against the defending champions this season, winning two of the three meetings, including a 2-1 triumph at Celtic Park in December.

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.

Former Celtic defender, Darren O’Dea, spoke about his old club’s chances of winning the title on Saturday and told BBC Radio Scotland:

“I don’t think Celtic will blow Hearts away by any means but I do think they will get the job done.

“The energy from the crowd will be through the roof.”

With Celtic only being one point behind Hearts in the Scottish Premiership table it’s all or nothing in the final match of the season this Saturday.

The two title rivals face off against each other at Celtic Park and it is the Hoops who are the favourites to win the game and the league with bookers.

Celtic are 4/6 favourites to pip Hearts to the post and it’ll be a fascinating encounter.

Hearts only need to avoid defeat while Celtic need to win but with a home crowd backing them, Celtic probably do have a slight advantage.