The fallout from Celtic’s late win over Motherwell has rolled straight into the next morning.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s 99th-minute penalty sealed a 3-2 victory at Fir Park and left the title race heading for a final-day shootout with Hearts at Celtic Park.

But while the result keeps the Hoops alive, the debate around the winning penalty is only growing.

Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor by VAR deep into stoppage time after the ball struck Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson inside the box. After reviewing it himself, he pointed to the spot.

Chris Sutton gave his view on the decision this morning, claiming it was clear “now that the dust has settled”. Judging by the reaction since full-time, that dust is nowhere near settled.

The handball incident has dominated the coverage, but there was another major moment earlier in the match that has largely slipped under the radar.

Daizen Maeda was chasing a loose ball in the first half with his back to goal when Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward raced out to collect. Before getting any touch on the ball, the goalkeeper crashed into the Celtic forward.

 

Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd felt Celtic had a strong case.

“I think this could’ve been a penalty. The goalkeeper makes contact with Daizen Maeda before anything else. I know Maeda can’t see him. I know you’ll say, ‘where is he [the goalkeeper] meant to go?’, but I think this could’ve been given, having seen it again.”

Former Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley disagreed in the studio, arguing that because Maeda was unaware of the goalkeeper’s position, there was no foul.

That logic will not convince many Celtic supporters this morning, especially with the noise around officiating once again centred entirely on calls that went in Celtic’s favour.

If the Maeda incident is given early in the game, the entire night likely looks different.

Instead, the Celts found themselves dragged into an awkward, scrappy contest against a Motherwell side that made life miserable for them for long spells.

Celtic FC's Daizen Maeda against Motherwell
13h May 2026; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Elliot Watt of Motherwell slide tackles Daizen Maeda of Celtic

That should not have surprised anyone watching closely. Before last night, only Falkirk had managed to win a league match at Fir Park this season.

Celtic looked rattled at times, second best at others, and needed a stoppage-time penalty to escape with three points.

The title picture remains brutally tight. Hearts dismantled Falkirk 3-0 in Edinburgh and stay one point ahead going into the final day.

That leaves Martin O’Neill’s side with no margin for error on Saturday. A full Celtic Park. A win required. The title on the line.

Exactly where this season was always heading.