There was unbelievable drama in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night, as Celtic’s controversial injury-time winner at Motherwell brought the title race to the final day.
Goals from Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren had Celtic ahead down the home stretch, but Liam Gordon’s dramatic equaliser with five minutes to go looked set to all but hand the title to Hearts.
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The real drama, though, was only just beginning.
With the clock well past the allotted five additional minutes, referee John Beaton was referred to his pitchside monitor to check a potential penalty for a handball against Motherwell.
To the astonishment of almost every football fan watching on, the spot kick was awarded, and Kelechi Iheanacho slotted it home.
The 99th-minute winner means Celtic’s title destiny is in their own hands on the final day, when they face Hearts, but the award of the penalty has caused huge controversy in the aftermath.
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Chris Sutton responds to Celtic chaos
The decision to award Celtic a late penalty seemed an incredibly harsh one against Sam Nicholson of Motherwell.
Nicholson appeared to inadvertently handle the ball when going for a clean header, and most viewers were in disbelief that the penalty had been given.
On Sky Sports’ coverage, Kris Boyd, for one, was predictably rattled by the decision.
Kris Boyd’s reaction to the drama in Motherwell.pic.twitter.com/pKjb9D7GZt
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 13, 2026
Gary Lineker was also among the many voices to question the referee’s call.
“This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen (and there’s a lot of competition),” Lineker wrote on Twitter.
“Extraordinary given the significance.”
His tweet would be quoted by Celtic legend Chris Sutton, as he pushed against the tide with his steadfast belief that VAR had made the right call.
That’s mental as anything…Celtic didn’t deserve it but huge result. That goal changes everything. Balls of steel from Iheanacho
For all the people moaning about VAR that’s what it is there for…
I’m worried Boydy may explode…
Good use of VAR…?
On Thursday morning, Sutton went even further, seeming to suggest that there was an agenda from people who did not want to see Celtic win the Scottish title once again.
Now the dust has settled.. The reaction from many high profile people is way over the top. John Beaton was advised to go to the monitor and saw that the ball hit the arm in an unnatural position Bottom line is people would hate to see Celtic win the title again and that is all.
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) May 14, 2026
“Now the dust has settled,” wrote Sutton.
The reaction from many high profile people is way over the top. John Beaton was advised to go to the monitor and saw that the ball hit the arm in an unnatural position
Bottom line is people would hate to see Celtic win the title again and that is all.
Whether the average Scottish football fan likes it or not, the title is now all to play for on what is set up to be an extraordinary day of football this Saturday.
Celtic host Hearts on the final day, with the Edinburgh club just a point ahead of the Hoops at the top of the table.
It’s going to be blockbuster. 12:30pm on Saturday.
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