Hearts manager gives furious post-match interview after watching 'disgusting' Celtic penalty decision

Hearts boss Derek McInnes was absolutely fuming when giving his assessment of a controversial VAR call which led to Celtic salvaging three points with a 99-minute penalty winner against Motherwell, meaning the Scottish title race goes to the wire.

Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and second-placed Celtic were both in action on Wednesday (May 13), with the Edinburgh side beating Falkirk 3–0 courtesy of strikes from Frankie Kent, Cammy Devlin and Blair Spittal.

Meanwhile, Celtic endured a tough evening away at Motherwell, falling behind after 17 minutes before Daizen Maeda levelled before half-time.

Benjamin Nygren made it 2–1 to the Hoops on 58 minutes before the home side thought they had snatched a hard-earned point through Liam Gordon in the 85th minute

A draw would have put Hearts well and truly in the box seat ahead of Saturday’s title decider at Parkhead.

If Celtic had dropped points this week, it would have allowed Hearts to lose by two goals on the season’s final day and still win their first Scottish top-flight crown since 1960.

But a controversial VAR call saw Celtic win 3–2, with Kelechi Iheanacho slotting home from the spot.

Video referee Andrew Dallas advised referee John Beaton to go to the pitchside monitor before he awarded the penalty against Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson for a handball offence; however, some have suggested the ball hit his head.

On X, former Premier League and England forward Gary Lineker wrote: “This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen (and there’s a lot of competition). Extraordinary given the significance.”

🟢 Here's the incident that resulted in Celtic's winning penalty at Fir Park, following a VAR check!

Motherwell vs Celtic & Hearts vs Falkirk reaction | Sky Sports Football now 📺 pic.twitter.com/kwFO6mOH7t

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 13, 2026

McInnes reacts to controversial Celtic VAR call

Hearts boss McInnes was less than pleased in his post-match interviews, with the Scot suggesting his side are “up against everybody”.

“I think it’s disgusting. I don’t think it’s a penalty kick,” he told Sky Sports.

“But we’re up against it, we’re up against everybody and we’ll be ready for Saturday.

“There were two more shouts for a penalty kick at our game at Motherwell. If I’m Motherwell, I’m really disappointed with that having seen it again. I think it’s so poor that they’ve been given that penalty.

“They’ve been very fortunate on that side of it and we have to realise we’re up against everything.

“We need to just go and deal with the game on Saturday.”

🗣️ “I think it’s disgusting. I don’t think it’s a penalty kick."
🏆 “What a game it is going to be."

Hearts boss Derek McInnes believes Celtic were “very fortunate” to be awarded a late penalty, which has set up a final-day title decider, live on Sky Sports ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/9fqxgGCpgg

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 13, 2026