Kris Boyd completely lost patience after Celtic’s stoppage-time winner against Motherwell, with the former Rangers striker launching into a furious rant over the penalty decision that now sends the Premiership title race to Celtic Park.
Celtic looked set to leave Fir Park needing a miracle on goal difference after Liam Gordon made it 2-2 late on.
Instead, Auston Trusty stayed alive inside the box deep into stoppage time and forced panic from Motherwell’s defence. Sam Nicholson handled the ball while challenging with the Celtic defender before Kelechi Iheanacho calmly buried the penalty in the 98th minute.
The decision itself looked straightforward enough once replay angles slowed down.
Nicholson’s arm was raised across Trusty while the ball clearly changed direction in the box. There was also contact on the Celtic defender as he attacked the loose ball. VAR reviewed it and John Beaton pointed straight to the spot.
Boyd could not accept it.
Throughout the live coverage, he repeatedly argued the movement of the ball proved it could not have hit Nicholson’s hand first. He also dragged previous title-race incidents into the discussion, including Alistair Johnston avoiding a red card against Rangers and Hearts not receiving a penalty appeal against Motherwell involving Alexandros Kyziridis last weekend.
His frustration became more emotional every minute the debate continued.
He said: (Sky Sports), “It’s three massive calls in the last three games.
“The penalty kick at Motherwell on Saturday night, the red card against Alistair Johnston Saturday and that there tonight is incredible.
“There’ll be serious questions asked about it and rightly so.
“If that hits his hand, that is dropping two, three yards in front of him.
“To go at the pace that it has, back out the way, there’s no way that has touched his hand.
“The Alistair Johnston red card on Saturday is incredible how that’s not been given.
“And then that there tonight is another dubious call that has went in Celtic’s favour.
“It is impossible, impossible to get that distance on a header like that if it’s hit your hand first.
“It’s impossible.
“There is no way that John Beaton can look at that and be 100% certain that’s hit his hand.
“You’re saying unnatural position. Yes, it’s up.
“But see as soon as his hand goes on top of Trusty’s shoulder. Where is he meant to put it?
“Where can his hand go?
“He has to jump for the ball.
“I mean, it’s an incredible decision.
“It’s actually getting to the stage that nobody’s actually surprised about it either.”
🗣️ “It’s three massive calls in the last few games. There will be serious questions asked about it. Rightfully so.”
Kris Boyd, John Robertson and Paul Hartley discuss Celtic’s LATE penalty decision in-depth ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/lZy9hp7Qpy
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 13, 2026
The reality is Celtic forced the moment.
Trusty attacked the second ball aggressively while Motherwell defenders panicked under pressure inside their own box. Nicholson gave the officials a decision to make by leaving his arm raised during the challenge.
What probably annoyed Boyd most was the timing.
At 2-2, Hearts looked fully in control of the title race after their win over Falkirk. Iheanacho’s penalty changed the entire landscape in seconds and now leaves Celtic one win away from taking the league on Saturday afternoon.
That is where the focus will move quickly now.
Whatever Boyd thinks about the decision, Celtic still had to survive a difficult night at Fir Park, score three goals away from home under pressure and find another huge moment when the title race looked gone again.
boyd one among many have disgraced themselves..
penalty was definate. Far too many huns being given air time and distorting reality..it’s time both sky and the bbc review who they employ
Kris Boyd is nothing but a bigot playing to the Rangers gallery.
He should never be allowed to comment on Celtic games because he always has a biased view, and to be honest he needs to keep an eye on his blood pressure . If only his beloved team had won one of their top six games he might have been able to stay calm during Celtic games, but alas they didn’t win any. Total bottlers.