Chris Sutton has weighed in on the Celtic penalty decision that has dominated Scottish football discussion since Wednesday night’s dramatic win over Motherwell.
With the title race hanging by a thread, Celtic looked set to head into the final day with the title hanging in the balance on goal difference. Martin O’Neill’s side were seconds away from dropping points before VAR intervened deep into stoppage time at Fir Park.
Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor after Motherwell winger Sam Nicholson handled inside the box in the 97th minute. After reviewing the incident, Beaton pointed to the spot.
Kelechi Iheanacho kept his nerve and buried the penalty to seal a 3-2 win for Celtic.
The result leaves the Hoops one point behind Hearts going into Saturday’s title decider at Celtic Park. A Hoops victory keeps the Premiership trophy in Glasgow’s East End. Anything else and Derek McInnes’ Hearts side are champions.
Reaction to the penalty has been fierce since full-time.
Replays showed the ball striking Nicholson’s hand, which was raised high near his face. The argument has centred on whether it actually struck his hand or his head, but Beaton clearly felt there was enough there after being instructed to take another look.
Sutton believes the reaction has gone completely over the top.
Writing on social media on Thursday morning, the former Celtic striker said:
“Now the dust has settled.. The reaction from many high profile people is way over the top. John Beaton was advised to go to the monitor and saw that the ball hit the arm in an unnatural position. Bottom line is people would hate to see Celtic win the title again and that is all.”
Now the dust has settled.. The reaction from many high profile people is way over the top. John Beaton was advised to go to the monitor and saw that the ball hit the arm in an unnatural position Bottom line is people would hate to see Celtic win the title again and that is all.
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) May 14, 2026
It is difficult to argue with part of that.
There has been an edge to the coverage of this title race for weeks, particularly with many outside Celtic backing Hearts to finally get over the line. The fury around this decision says plenty about what is at stake.
The reality is, Beaton did not immediately award the penalty. VAR advised him to review the footage and after seeing it himself, he made the call.
People can debate the interpretation all they want. That will continue right through to kick-off on Saturday and probably long after it too.
What cannot be ignored is Celtic’s response under pressure.
Seven straight wins in all competitions have dragged them back into this title race when it looked gone. O’Neill has delivered a flawless post-split run, and now the equation is simple.
Beat Hearts, and the title is retained.
It’s a penalty under the present rules
The Motherwell keeper got away with
one earlier
it was great to watch all the pundits lips trembling ,boohoo
hope the village idiot ,boyd,didn’t trip over his trembling lip on the way out of the sky studio