You never really know what to expect from the SFA Key Match Incident Review Panel, the body which gives a cool-heads assessment of referee and VAR decisions. However, the Panel’s view on the Celtic penalty incident at Fir Park last night will be unanimous in backing the officials.
Their assessment will go along the lines of: “Did the ball hit the defender’s hand when it was raised above shoulder height?” “Yes.” End of investigation. There can be no other outcome.
Was it unfortunate on Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson? Absolutely! Apart from competing for the ball with his arms by his side or behind his back (which some defenders now do by default), this is a low-percentage risk, less than 1% chance of it resulting in a handball. It was a rough break.
Was it unfortunate on Hearts? Tangentially. They came close to winning the league last night and today have to live through uncertainty which must be causing havoc in their minds. They should not make the mistake of assuming life is fair. Look around, it is not. If life was fair, the Edinburgh jury at a trial for an assault on Neil Lennon at Tynecastle would have came to a different conclusion. They should ask Neil if life is always fair.
I understand the reactions of all football fans this morning. Hearts and Motherwell fans complaining, Celtic fans, with the gift of being able to see photos of Nicholson’s hand on the ball, with a different take. I even ‘get’ why neutrals are blinded by the wish for a minnow to win the title to overlook the inconvenient hand-on-the-ball thing! They are all football fans, cut them some slack.
What is disturbing is a football manager ahead of a huge game calling a referee decision “disgusting”, as Hearts boss Derek McInness did last night. The assault on Neil Lennon did not happen in a vacuum. For years, people around the game painted the then-Celtic manager as a character who “Brings it on himself”. The assault was made with a fist, but the flames were fanned with microphones and keyboards.
McInnes might think his invective can inhibit Saturday’s officials from working with a straight bat, I encourage them to stand up to his intimidation. There was no mistake made at last night’s penalty award, there are no victims to compensate. Referee Celtic-Hearts as a stand-alone football match.
Everyone who makes their money around the game would be well advised to take emotion out of their analysis on this occasion. Look at the evidence, ask yourself, did referee John Beaton or VAR Andrew Dallas (well done to both) really subvert facts to hand Celtic a key advantage? Otherwise, you are fanning more flames for a toxic group of people.
Derek McInnes might still end the season as the title winning manager, but after last night, he deserves nothing from the campaign. The entire football community must stand firmly against heading down the road where a loaded term like “disgusting” is thrown around before a powder keg football game.
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Bhoys Town on 14th May 2026 1:11 pm
Media reaction is wonderful. Tommy Sheridan says it was a penalty.
Daily Express in quoting him describe him as ‘Convicted perjurer Sheridan said…’. Oh, the pain.
———-
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
PS – Quadbhoy earlier – cheers.
saint stivs
May 14, 2026 3:36 pm
1922 – Morton, who the previous week had won the scottish cup, host Celtic, in front of their record crowd of 23,500.
The Celtic following was bolstered by thousands of Greenock and Port Glasgow Irish in all areas of the ground. The tenemants behind the Greenock end is known as “wee dublin”.
The Morton support in turn includes hundreds of “orangemen” who work in the surronding yards and wear their colours on the day.
The match finishes 1-1.
The Celtic support from Glagow are on special trains from Cartsdyke and Princes Pier to St Enochs.
They dont know Celtic have won the league until they reach Glasgow.
The local support are on trams and horse drawn charabancs.
The trouble becomes known as the cappielow riots.
Trouble continued in the local towns late into the night.
What is unusual about this picture from the day ?
comment image
https://www.thecelticwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/bafkreidfuole7isi2hxfhsr3iywoy24s52i73cxk4yyezplx27qxmgwjzu.jpg
Can we request the Celtic Park DJ to play ‘You Need Hands’ by Max Bygraves just before kick off?
oh their pain, the phone ins,
they got a penalty in 99 minutes.
we didnt, we got it in 94, seconds before the extra time was to be finished.
we have to win saturday, these eejits need put back down.
If the incident had happened outside the box, it surely would have been a FK for elbowing.
Having said that, we were well second best last night.
It was actually 2 penalties, 1 for handball and 1 for the elbow,plus a red card so Motherwell got off lightly. Celtic should be allowed carry one of the penalties forward to the Hearts game..Only fair
i dont believe we were 2nd best last night at all, every stat is eachy peachy.
they had more back passes than we did, the possession was 50/50
they had only lost one game at home, this season, sure they play nice football , in phases, but they are no vintage barcelona.
Foundation of Hearts now calling for high standards of referring and fairness, with the clear implication that in their view there has been neither recently.
We need to keep stum until after the Cup final , offer to let McInness ref the game himself, and privately express our disgust at Hearts behaviour to the SFA to support the SFA sanctioning Hearts.
Pretty confident we’ll get an early penalty on Saturday and several red cards for Hearts players.
Comfortable 3-0 win.
Ivegottorightoncethisseasoncfc
Great stuff Paul.
If I may be so bold, perhaps you could have further emphasised one significant aggravating factor.
“Disgusting” is bad enough at any time.
But the man was commenting on a decision made in a game that did not involve his team.
Anyway, let him stew. His mistake.
His hole to ttempt to climb out of …. quick
You would certainly be disappointed if you were a Motherwell supporter. A huge outcry after they didn’t get a penalty awarded against them on Saturday then four days later they get one awarded against them…..
Paul67
Best piece for a long time well done 👏
Time to circle the wagons CSC
Frank
You make me feel so young
https://youtu.be/TZNIKZdoehE?si=z6EZIMu1qmnxpYHN
HH
BTW – quick mention for Eilidh Barbour.
IMHO, she tries (doesn’t always succeed) to keep it professional at all times.
Credit to her given she has to routinely share a small studio space with assorted absolute puddings.
She’s also had to deal with BS from SMSM morons in the past for having the temerity to be a woman in their trade.
MON is responsible for some of our greatest days and nights and hes still at it. Two more to go please Saint Martin! While I was resigned to needing A 3-0 victory on Saturday believing we could do it, getting the winner so late was really something and hopefully bury the nightmare of Scott McDonolds double when we win on Saturday!
Everything seemed to conspire against us this season, BR gone WN in (ffs) terrible transfer windows and shocking long term injuries. It all seems to be coming together now at the business part of the season.
For the first time we had to pay for ferry on Saturday in advance of yesterdays match. Stena afraid of cancellations in case of a defeat or maybe even a draw!
HH
Sevco lose four of their “Five Cup Finals” ( and Celtic get a VAR decision )
🇨🇮💚🤣☘️ Oh my days CSC
BSR
Yip, circle the wagons, it’s anyone but Celtic and always has been since our inception.
And they call us the problem…….
Ticket profiteering or AI not sure but the prices are wild out there, and won’t link to them
It is sadly absurd that a handball in the circumstances of last night results in a penalty kick.
There is no correlation between the significance of the foul and the consequences of the penalty.
It’s a crap rule.
But it’s the rule, all the same.
And the ball hit his hand and his hand was raised above his shoulder, and in those circumstances the rule applies a penalty kick.
Personally, I think the SFA should have declared it a penalty for the careless use of the elbow and there would be greatly less outrage across the country, albeit just as much acute melancholy.
Best outcome now is a 4-0 win for the Hoops on Saturday such that there is no legacy from the whole shebawz.
I’ll take that.
What I found disgusting is when McInnes was caught singing the sash, but what do I know. I’m just a snowflake.
I predicted Don as ref last night / early hours. He gives us nothing and empowers time wasting and dart arts from opposition.
That said, when refs are criticised so openly they often bite back, poor fragile easily offended wee souls that they are.
I would love it if that proves to be the case on Saturday.
I see that Wilfried Nancy is getting some column inches at the moment with a bit of a Celtic love in.
Ironically, without the 6 points WN “won us” against Aberdeen and Livingston, Hearts would already be Champions.
Thanks Wilf, you’ll forever be a Celtic leg end!
Maybe the ex Hearts player Sam Nicholson has a grudge against them 😂
From last night, too much going on tae post it
Saint Stivs on 13th May 2026 8:04 pm
every now and again, something pops up i have never known. one for TT, LITERALLY.
*I remember this game but only barely as the SMSM didnae make it a big deal as it was, as the programme says, a benefit game in aid of the Isle of Man Society for Handicapped Children, in Douglas IoM, it was also Joe McGoals debut against his old club, he only lasted about 10 minutes having to go off with a nasty eye injury after a rough tackle by his former team mate the ‘well centre half, a late Stevie equaliser saved the day for us.
Oh and a couple of young Celtic supporters received the birch, which was legal corporal punishment there at the time, after getting lifted for drunk and disorderly, probably spent too much time and little money in Yates Wine Lodge on the Promenade.
The other interest for me was as a family we had enjoyed several holidays there, boat fae Ardrossan and back again, so easy tae reach plus it was seen as an upgrade on Blackpool lol
In an attempt to dilute the emotion stress and tension I live with at the moment
I’m reminded of the five stages of success
You introduce yourself to the lady of your desire and she responds with interest – Celtic 3 Falkirk 1
We have a chance here
The conversation gets interesting and you find yourself engrossed in her personality – Hibs 1 Celtic 2
This is going better than I thought
The suggestion is we go somewhere a bit quieter to be alone – Celtic 3 Rangers 1
Im now getting really excited about how this is going
As the end of the evening closes in you find yourself back at her place – Motherwell 2 Celtic 3
Result don’t blow it now after all that effort
I hope stage 5 is self explanatory
No sleep till Saturday
67ECW
Presume that the SFA has summoned the Hearts manager to immediately appear before a disciplinary board as he obviously brought the game into fundamental disrepute last night. His punishment should be immediate and his dug out ban should begin on Saturday.
We cannot have a manager bringing unmerited, hysterical pressure on match officials.
Paul67 – as others noted, good and important article 👍
The actual handball offense can be easily identified, but the supporting case and explanation for it being a penalty is technically more important and should be emphasized. This will only work for an audience who actually wants to understand the accuracy of the decision, so those already raging about the “disgusting” decision will not want to read on.
The hearts player jumped to challenge for a ball with his arms above his shoulders, and was unable to return his arms to a more natural position prior to the ball arriving. He effectively invited the risk of being penalized for “accidentally” handling the ball because his arms were in an obviously unnatural opinion, and as we know, there is little to no room in the rules for unintentional handball in the box.
I suspect that when we hear from Collum, the explanation provided in support of the officials will be straightforward. The referee could see the players arms raised high, but did not see contact with the hand or arm and therefore did not whistle for a penalty, as the ball flight was more consistent with it being headed away. Also, as the ball immediately went out of play, he would have been aware that VAR would take a look. He was correctly advised by VAR, that he had indeed missed the contact with the players hand/wrist and was therefore sent to the monitor to review the incident.
His much criticized 20-second review of the video was in fact appropriate, as again, he would already be aware that the arms were in an unnatural position, and as such he simply needed to confirm that there was a handball, and then the fouls would be awarded.
Importantly, the previously mentioned “ball flight” has been used to create a false narrative, with various pundits saying that the ball could not have bounced that far off a hand. It seems fairly conclusive from video evidence that the ball did indeed bounce off the players wrist which was effectively tightly trapped between his head and the ball, and that is the reason why the ball appeared to fly as if headed as there was little or no reduction to the impulsive force of a ball “rebounding” of a resistant surface.
In a normal football world, McInnes would face immediate sanction for those comments.
If you watch Nicholson after he heads the ball with the assistance of his hand it looks like he’s been shot with an elephant gun and is send flying back on his ass into the penalty box.
#HandOfSam
The palmed away ball bounced not far out of the penalty area.
A proper end of the game header (without hand / arm use ) would have flown straight out of play without touching the ground.
Not sure quite where to start.
I am not sure if it is because of the season so far, or that we were so bad last night. Whatever the reason I didn’t quite feel the buzz of excitement a last minute winner in such a crucial game should bring at the time. More a sense of relief that we had somehow won.
Today for me feels better. Listening to how much ‘they’ hate us winning really does fire me up. There was bucketfuls of it at Edinburghs airport this morning. Even on my early flight to Marseilles.
“Who are ‘they’ “ my wife asked. Hearts or Rangers or ? All of them I said. Neutrals especially. So-called neutrals who live for Celtic being beaten. All outraged by a decision they don’t actually understand and media messaging which is being driven by our rivals. They hate these upstarts with their Irish roots who have had their supremacy for nearly 2 decades.
More than ever I want to win this league. To those amongst us who show disdain for domestic trophies and dominance I hope you are seeing the value this week. I hope you enjoy a special one if we prevail on Saturday.
Many of those who would have us fail say ‘Hearts deserve it’. I disagree. After the utter chaos at Ibrox and especially at our own club (regardless of who we blame) for 2/3 of the season there was never going to be a better time for another team to succeed. If they don’t do it this time they have failed. Pure and simple.
This season feels more like 79 and 86. Lots of winning ugly for sure. Zero control over any games either. We are winning by our intuition or habit with no clear and obvious plan. What we do is so simple it is why Askou said it is complicated to plan to play against. It seems to be effective. One man takes the most credit for this but many are the bit part players.
I really hope more than anything that we can make the final step this weekend. We are still the challengers which feels a good place to be.
I will be watching with my son and daughter n law in O’Sullivans bar in Aix en Provence. They are competing next day in an Iron Man event. I certainly didn’t expect to miss this climax when deciding to come to support them. So glad to pass my ticket to a CQN r who made a great donation to the Foundation for the privilege. I hope he and all the genuine Celtic fans on here have a great weekend to remember.
I even bought the new Celtic top at the Airport JD Sports and put it on just to wind these disgusted penalty deniers up. We could be on the cusp of an amazing achievement. How sick would that make them all.
McInnes is a bitter, classless hun.
None should be particularly surprised by what he says.
if it hadn’t been for VAR auld MON might have treated us to Black Wednesday, Helicopter Wednesday, and at Fir Park as well.
Or maybe we would have had to applaud the Champion Jambos onto Parkhead on Saturday, AFTER, we’d been denied a mibbery VAR-less penalty on Wednesday to hand the Crown to those Glorious Jambos?
Can you imagine the likes of it?!
Woof!
For many weeks I’ve been prepared for and even acceptant of the idea Celtic would face Hearts on the final day with an opportunity to win the league on goal difference, so yesterday’s late goal was a massive relief. Or was it?
I’m feeling strangely robbed of that potential drama, as I could visualize a rampant Celtic overcoming a 3 goal deficit.
With us now only requiring a win of any sort, I don’t know if it has truly relieved much of the pressure or anxiety. Do any of us honestly believe that we can confidently manage our way to win the game by a one goal margin?
Maybe the team need to be convinced to play as if the 3-0 margin is still required. The added bonus would be that McInnes would be properly put in his place.
Willie Collum about raising your arms high
clarity
https://x.com/J_113CSC/status/2054939026453348355?s=20
So, they are slowly coming to the conclusion that Nicholson handled the ball, but are unsure if he handled it enough.
———————————————————————————–
” New footage of the controversial incident that led to Celtic’s penalty against Motherwell has been released.
The footage appears to show Sam Nicholson’s hand making contact with the ball as he headed away Anthony Ralston’s long throw.
The incident resulted in a penalty that allowed Celtic to secure a late victory and keep close to league leaders Hearts.
Read more
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Sir Rod Stewart pays tribute to Celtic hero during visit to beloved hotel
However, the footage has sparked debate about whether the handball was sufficient to warrant a penalty.
Celtic shared the footage from their own Unique Angle perspective this afternoon.
Congratulations to Hearts who got their hands on the ‘Nearly Champions’ trophy last night. Rangers were sadly disappointed to have missed out this year.
Let’s do it on Saturday Bhoys. The fairytale must have a happy ending.
Great post, excellent replies Gedinte, Burnley 78 (Iron Mans – incredible) and others.
In addition to McInnes I see the favourite stooge is now Ryan Stevenson who the DR is using to call for Collum’s head. Be in no doubt, the mock furore is all about der hun losing control of refereeing, and the effort now will be to sweep Collum and his post-match accountability away.
And so called Jambo Ryan Stevenson is in fact from deepest darkest North Ayrshire and went to school in Irvine. If he’s a Jambo, Andy Halliday’s a Motherwell fan.
I’m not sure that we learnt anything new from yesterday’s game at Motherwell. This ragged and disjointed Celtic side do not know when they are beaten. Our patterns of play were typically difficult to discern, but effort and attitude won the day, along with some moments of brilliance as all three strikes were excellent.
Daizen struck a sweet left foot drive when he had already missed an arguably easier chance, and was running hard but producing little threat.
Nygren was his all too conspicuous “man less” for most of the game, but very deliberately found space in a position he knows well, and then scores a beauty.
Kelechi, as if unaware of any pressure, strokes home the penalty after having skewed wide a fairly simple chance from the halfway line.
For perspective, Motherwell were again very good. They have great discipline, excellent and well rehearsed movement, which ensures that more often than not there are players looking to receive the ball. They played around us, through us and over us. Variety, and purpose in getting forward quickly. Also, nearly all of their players seem to be more technically capable than I have ever noticed in the past.
It has once again left me wondering about Jens Berthel Askou.
Would he make our players function as a team better than his own Motherwell side? And as a follow-up, could he make better players (which we assume ours are), even better still?
I know for a fact that if MON was at Motherwell, that team would not function like it does now.
That makes MON no less of a legend, and to be clear, I don’t know if JBA could have got this team to do what MON has in this past 4+ months!