The Hearts boss celebrated a win over Falkirk but was left raging at events in Fir Park which have a huge impact on their job in hand to win the title
22:46, 13 May 2026Updated 23:22, 13 May 2026
Hearts boss Derek McInnes ‘disgusted’ by penalty decision in Motherwell v Celtic match that gave the Hoops the win
Seething Derek McInnes has slammed the decision to award Celtic a penalty in their dramatic 3-2 victory over Motherwell as ‘disgusting’ – with his Hearts side now needing a result against the Parkhead giants on the final day of the season to lift the league title.
The Jambos did their job on the night with a handsome 3-0 victory against Falkirk at Tynecastle, with Frankie Kent, Cammy Devlin and Blair Spittal all on the scoresheet.
Fans inside the ground were also keeping tabs on events at Fit Park, where the scores were locked at 2-2 going into injury time after Eliot Watt, Daizen Maeda, Benjamin Nygren and Liam Gordon had exchanged goals.
But deep into injury time, referee John Beaton eventually pointed to the spot after being informed by VAR that Steelmen winger Sam Nicholson had handled the ball inside the area as he jumped up to contest a header with Auston Trusty.
Derek McInnes did not hold back on the contentious decision(Image: Sky Sports)
Hearts’ remain just a point above Martin O’Neill’s side going into a mega showdown at Celtic Park on Sunday, where the men from Gorgie will have to avoid a defeat to become the first team outside of the Old Firm to win the championship since 1985.
And the former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss did not mince his words after seeing footage of the contentious decision.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “When we heard Celtic got a 96th minute penalty that was going to VAR, you just assume they’d get the penalty.
“But having seen it again, it’s disgusting. I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. We are up against everybody and we will be ready for Saturday.
Nicholson was penalised for handball(Image: Robert Perry/PA Wire)
“I don’t think it’s a penalty kick, there were two more (better) shouts for a penalty kick in our game with Motherwell.
“If I am Motherwell I am disappointed with that having seen it again. I think it’s so poor that they have been given that penalty.
“They (Celtic) have been very fortunate and we have to realise we are up against everything. We need to go and deal with the game on Saturday.”