Motherwell vent fury over Celtic penalty as former Hearts ace can't contain VAR anger in social media eruption
Anger has erupted over how Celtic won the game against Motherwell.
A former Hearts star has gone off on a social media rant after a penalty for Celtic - as Motherwell are left fizzing.
Martin O’Neill’s side have sparked a final day shootout with the Jambos where they simply must win at Parkhead to retain their title. It comes amid massive furore as they were drawing 2-2 with the Steelmen after the allotted amount of second half stoppage time. Sam Nicholson was judged to have handled the ball when jumping for a ball with Auston Trusty by VAR official Andrew Dallas, match referee John Beaton agreeing, and Kelechi Iheanacho sparking wild away end scenes. It means now a win will suffice for the Hoops instead of one by a three-goal margin.
Former Hearts star Stephen Elliot erupted on social media saying ‘that is cheating pure and simple, that cannot be a penalty, for the love of God, game is gone!!!’ and Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou was crestfallen. He says it’s the worst he has ever seen in his career.
Were Celtic right to get penalty vs Motherwell?
“I think it’s one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in my career taking everything into consideration,” Askou said. “It was a fantastic game to be a part of. What a night, with a great crowd, two good teams trying to give their best and all they could to get the game in their hands. I think we more than deserved the result until the unreal incident happened. We went for it knowing that because of the result at Ibrox was in our favour very late.
“It was about finding the right balance and I thought we found that and didn’t really give anything away. Got the equaliser deservedly. Another memorable performance together with our fans and we should be here with a point. It wouldn’t have made a huge difference regarding the job on Saturday but it would have given us a very different emotional state.
“I didn’t speak to the referee, no. I thought I’d seen it all this season but I hadn’t. If we keep making calls like we have done too many times we will end up being ridiculed as football country. I don’t think we deserve that because in so many ways this country is taking steps in the right direction. It’s a shame.
Celtic verdict on penalty vs Motherwell
“Even watching it from the distance when it happened I was shocked he even got called to the monitor because he connected with his head. You could find a picture where it hits his finger, it’s because he connects with Auston Trusty and his arm gets pushed in the direction where he’s heading the ball. No matter what, it’s just a bad call.”
O’Neill meanwhile was delighted to see Celtic set up a final day showdown with Hearts at Parkhead this weekend. He insisted Beaton’s call was the right one.
“The lads have a little monitor, beside me” said O’Neill. “It’s very small. I can’t really see it. I need another pair of glasses to see it. The lads thought it was a handball, an elbow as well too. I felt we had a penalty in the first half but VAR cleared that one. We have to win the game. Hearts don’t but at least we’ve taken it there. It’ll be a big day. It’s nice to take it into the final game which looked a long way off five or six weeks ago. A monumental effort from the team and the supporters who were phenomenal and kept us going. They were cheering us on at 2-2. Major effort against a very good Hearts side.”