McInnes Denounces Celtic's 3-2 Win as Spiel Des Jahres Turns on VAR
spiel des jahres arrived in the ninth minute of stoppage time at Motherwell, where Celtic Glasgow beat FC Motherwell 3-2 after a video assistant referee review led to a handball penalty. The result left Heart of Midlothian one point behind Celtic before Saturday’s season finale at Celtic Park, and it turned one disputed call into the hinge for the Scottish title race.
McInnes on the decision
Derek McInnes did not hide his view after seeing the Motherwell footage. “Ich finde es widerlich. Für mich ist es kein Elfmeter,” said the Heart of Midlothian coach, who was watching a decision that could cost his side a first Scottish league title since 1960. For Hearts, the margin is now tight enough that the final match against Celtic is no longer a routine decider; it is the match that can still save the season.
The penalty arrived after the video assistant referee intervened, and that is where the match swung away from a 2-2 finish. Had Motherwell held on at that score, Hearts would have been three points behind Celtic rather than one, a gap that would have left far less room in the finale. Instead, Celtic take a one-point edge into the direct duel, and Hearts must get a result to keep the championship path open.
Hearts at Celtic Park
Saturday now carries the entire weight of the race. Hearts have not won the Scottish league title since 1960, a drought that stretches across 66 years, and McInnes has already framed the moment in combative terms: “Wir haben alle gegen uns. Wir müssen uns klarmachen, dass wir gegen alle Widerstände ankämpfen müssen.” That is not the language of a side trying to manage a cushion; it is the language of a club that knows it needs one decisive game to break the gap.
Auston Trusty and Sam Nicholson were part of the matchday context at Motherwell, but the real story is the standings shift. Celtic’s late conversion did more than add two points on the night; it changed what Hearts can afford in the final match. If Hearts fail to win on Saturday, Celtic stay in control. If McInnes’s side do win, the title race stays alive until the final whistle at Celtic Park.
