'DISGUSTING' - HEARTS BOSS DEREK MCINNES FUMES OVER CELTIC WINNER

 

Kelechi Iheanacho scores a 99th-minute penalty to seal a 3-2 for Celtic over Motherwell

Hearts boss Derek McInnes described the decision to award William Hill Premiership title rivals Celtic a stoppage-time penalty in their win at Motherwell as "disgusting".

While leaders Hearts were beating Falkirk 3-0 at Tynecastle, Celtic were awarded a contentious spot-kick deep in time added on at Fir Park, which Kelechi Iheanacho converted to snatch his side a 3-2 win.

McInnes' side lead Celtic by a solitary point in the table with a better goal difference and will face the Hoops in a final-day title decider in Glasgow on Saturday.

Hearts will be crowned Scottish champions for the first time in 66 years if they avoid defeat at Celtic Park, but McInnes was furious over the penalty decision.

He told Sky Sports: "Everybody was just interested in the (Celtic) score. So when you hear Celtic get a 96th-minute penalty (VAR decision), you just assume what’s happened is they get the penalty.

"And having seen it again, I think it’s disgusting, I don’t think it’s a penalty kick.

"But we’re up against it. We’re up against everybody and we’ll be ready for Saturday.

"I don’t think it’s a penalty kick. If I’m Motherwell, I’m really disappointed with that.

"I’ve seen it (the replay) before I came out to speak to you and I think it’s so poor that they’ve been given that penalty. And it looks as if they’ve been 'given’ it.

"I think they’ve been very fortunate, very fortunate on that side. And we have to realise we’re up against everything."

Two goals in five first-half minutes put Hearts in control against Falkirk, with Frankie Kent heading them into a 29th-minute lead and Cameron Devlin firing home from inside the penalty area.

Blair Spittal curled home Hearts’ third in the closing stages, soon after news of Motherwell’s late equaliser against Celtic had filtered through the stands.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill admitted he feared his team's league hopes were "done for" before the dramatic plot twist.

"I think we knew we had to win both matches otherwise it was done for," he said.

"It's exciting to take it into the final game and I think the players have good belief that they can do it. And that's very, very important.

"We have to win the game. Hearts don't but at least we've taken it there. It's nice to take it into the final game which looked a long way off five or six weeks ago.

"I think we have got a chance, we're at home. The atmosphere will be fantastic."

When asked about the penalty decision, O'Neill said: "The lads have a little monitor. 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."

- RTĒ

WILFRED NANCY SACKED AS CELTIC MANAGER AFTER OLD FARM DEFEAT

Celtic announced Nancy's departure after only eight games in charge on Monday afternoon.

Wilfried Nancy has been sacked as Celtic manager following a 3-1 defeat to Rangers.

Nancy was appointed as Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor from MLS side Columbus Crew on December 3, after the 52-year-old tendered his resignation in October.

The Frenchman took over after club legend Martin O’Neill had won seven out of eight matches as interim manager.

However, following a 3-1 defeat by Old Firm rivals Rangers at Celtic Park on Saturday, Celtic announced Nancy had been removed from his role on Monday after only eight games in charge.

In the statement, the club also confirmed that Paul Tisdale has left his role as head of football operations.

Paul Tisdale has also left his role as Head of Football Operations at Celtic.

The defending Premiership champions announced the exits in a statement on the club’s website, where they said: “Celtic Football Club today announces that it has decided to terminate the contract of manager Wilfried Nancy, with immediate effect.

“The Club thanks Wilfried for his efforts and wishes him and his family well for the future.

“Wilfried’s assistants, Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen, and Maxime Chalier, will also be leaving the club and they take with them our good wishes.

“The Club can also confirm that Paul Tisdale has left his position as head of football operations. We thank Paul for the contribution he has made in that role.

“A further update will be provided to supporters as soon as is practical.”

Celtic fans protested outside Parkhead following Saturday’s defeat to Rangers.

Nancy became the first Celtic manager to lose his first two games in charge, losing 2-1 to league leaders Hearts before a comprehensive defeat to Roma at Celtic Park in the Europa League.

He lost out on a chance to win some early silverware after suffering a 3-1 defeat by St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final.

A 2-1 defeat at Dundee United handed him the unwanted title of the worst start by any Celtic manager in history.

Nancy got his first win with a 3-1 home victory over ten-man Aberdeen, with two goals coming in the final minutes, and followed that with a 4-2 win at Livingston in a game where the hosts were two goals ahead in the first ten minutes.

The upturn in form wasn’t to last, as Celtic crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Motherwell where the champions were completely outplayed.

On Saturday, Rangers bounced back from a goal down to defeat Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead to inflict Nancy’s final defeat as Celtic manager, with his departure announced only two days later.

- Calum Loudon

'BIG VIC' EXPRESSES GRATITUDE IN HEARTFELT MESSAGE AFTER NOSTALGIC CELTIC CELTIC PARK RETURN

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama returned to Celtic Park, receiving a warm welcome and reuniting with fans and former teammates.

Former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Celtic fans and the club after a nostalgic visit to Celtic Park on Tuesday night.

The Kenyan powerhouse, who famously scored against Barcelona in Celtic's historic 2012 Champions League win, made a triumphant return to witness Celtic’s recent 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

The visit was a warm and emotional homecoming for Wanyama, who was visibly moved by the reception from fans.

Reflecting on his experience at halftime, he participated in the popular Paradise Windfall draw, delighting supporters with remarks about his time at the club.

Celtic Park, thank you for your warm welcome,” Wanyama tweeted on Thursday.

The night served not only as an evening of European football for Wanyama but also as a reunion with old teammates and friends.

Among them was Scott Brown, his former midfield partner at Celtic, and current Hoops standout Alistair Johnston, with whom he shared the pitch while playing at Montreal.

Wanyama’s return also highlighted the enduring bond he shares with Johnston, whom he advised before the Canadian's move to Celtic in December 2022.

Alistair Johnston, who joined Celtic shortly after Wanyama’s encouragement, has since become a celebrated player for the club, winning a treble within six months and making a strong impression on the Celtic faithful.

Big Vic, legend. What a guy. We’re still in contact. He keeps sending me texts congratulating me on winning trophies. That’s one of the funniest things he said. ‘Alistair, you’ve got to get in the gym so you can work on picking up the trophies.’ Fair enough, because he’s a big lad," Johnston said on Celtic TV.

 - Festus Chuma