Celtic-Linked Askou Brands Penalty ‘One of Football’s Worst Decisions’

Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou did not hold back after his side’s late defeat to Celtic at Fir Park.

The Danish coach watched his team push Celtic all the way before Kelechi Iheanacho’s stoppage-time penalty handed the visitors a dramatic 3-2 win.

It was a result that completely changed the title race heading into Saturday. Had Celtic dropped points, Hearts would have remained firmly in control at the top of the table. Instead, Celtic now know victory at Parkhead will seal the league.

The penalty decision itself has dominated the fallout from the match.

Referee John Beaton initially allowed play to continue after Auston Trusty went down inside the box under pressure from Sam Nicholson. VAR then intervened and Beaton was sent to the monitor before awarding Celtic the spot-kick.

Replays appeared to show Nicholson’s arm raised as the ball struck him while Trusty also took contact inside the area.

Still, Askou was furious with the outcome afterwards.

His comments also come at an interesting time given Askou has recently been linked with potentially replacing Martin O’Neill at Celtic at the end of the season.

The Motherwell manager gave his view bluntly after full-time.

He said: (PLZ Soccer), “I think it’s one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in my career of football, taking everything into consideration, so no.

“Should have been here with a point now, that wouldn’t have made a huge difference in terms of the job we need to do on Saturday.”

Motherwell will feel hard done by after twice taking points away from Celtic during the match.

Elliot Watt’s opener gave the home side belief early on before Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren turned the game around for Celtic. Liam Gordon then dragged Motherwell level again late in the second half before the stoppage-time drama arrived.

From Celtic’s side, though, the argument remains straightforward.

VAR reviewed the incident. The referee was sent to the monitor. A decision was reached after another look at the footage.

Neil Lennon also pointed towards clearer images emerging after the match which appeared to show contact with Nicholson’s hand.

That has not stopped the reaction from elsewhere around Scottish football.

Derek McInnes questioned the decision after Hearts’ win over Falkirk while Kris Boyd spent much of Thursday debating the call publicly as well.

None of that changes the table now.

Celtic head into Saturday one point behind Hearts with the title still there to be won at Celtic Park.