A huge moment in the Scottish Premiership title race

At a glance

  • Hugely-controversial 99th-minute Iheanacho penalty gives Celtic title lifeline

  • Victory over Hearts in Glasgow on Saturday would secure championship

  • Celtic went behind, recovered to lead, then conceded 85th-minute equaliser before stoppage-time winner

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

Celtic secured an incredible title lifeline as Kelechi Iheanacho's controversially awarded 99th-minute penalty earned a win at Motherwell that leaves them a point behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts before the sides meet in Glasgow on Saturday.

Martin O'Neill's side had recovered from Motherwell's opener to lead just before the hour, only for their hosts to level in the 85th minute.

At that stage, the defending champions would have needed to beat Hearts by three goals at Celtic Park on the final day to retain their title.

But, deep into injury time, Celtic defender Auston Trusty went down claiming he had been caught by a stray elbow. Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor and ultimately awarded a spot-kick for handball.

Iheanacho kept his composure to roll in the penalty, spark chaotic scenes and leave Celtic knowing that a win of any kind on Saturday will make them champions.

This season has delivered undiluted drama and it did not stop here. The pace was unrelenting. The atmosphere electric. The stakes enormous. The ending will be talked about for years to come.

Motherwell, who had previously only lost twice at Fir Park this season - both to Falkirk - looked in control early on and profited in pursuit of their European dream.

Celtic score controversial late penalty to set up epic final day

That inched closer when Elliot Watt's volley seemed to take a small nick off Trusty and evade goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.

Soon after, Hearts took the lead and were title winners as it stood. But one thing Celtic have shown this term is resilience and again so it was again here.

As in the weekend win over Rangers, Daizen Maeda was key. A sliding challenge diverted the ball into his path and he fired in brilliantly off the post to level.

Six goals in four top-six matches is outstanding - more so given the context of this incredible title race.

Arne Engels struck the bar after Calum Ward bundled into Maeda but, just as Motherwell seemed to have gathered themselves again, Benjamin Nygren produced yet another vital goal.

The Swede gathered on the edge of the area and fired a tremendous strike into the top corner.

Motherwell responded, though, and hunted for a leveller. Tom Sparrow's shot deflected onto the bar; Tawanda Maswanhise was denied on the follow up; Sinisalo thwarted Elijah Just.

Liam Gordon would not be repelled, though, slotting home after Maswanhise was twice denied.

That seemed to have handed the initiative to Hearts but somehow Celtic got out of jail and Iheanacho stayed cool to ensure the title somehow remains in his side's hands.

Graphic

Analysis: Celtic find way amid remarkable drama

Celtic, somehow, still have this title in their hands but this night will live long in the memory for so many reasons.

The VAR intervention for the penalty was hugely controversial and will be debated until the end of time given how crucial it proved. The outcome will not change, though, and Iheanacho was so cool to convert under intense pressure.

Had Celtic drawn, the initiative was with Hearts heading into the showdown on Saturday. They still hold the advantage but Celtic would have needed to win by three goals had they dropped points.

Big players such as Maeda and Nygren stood up before that incredible end in a performance that was laboured for long spells against a very good side.

Who knows how this title fight will pan out from here?

For Motherwell, it was such a painful end and the wait to clinch European football goes to the last day.

They offered so much. After levelling late on, it seemed they were capable of going on and winning and Jens Berthel Askou's side will no doubt feel aggrieved.

They controlled much of this game and produced a performance that perhaps didn't merit the outcome that followed. The home fans were furious but appreciative of their team.

This will sting, even more if Motherwell don't now finish fourth in the table having been there for so long.

What the managers said

Berthel Askou on dramatic defeat to Celtic

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "I thought it was very unreal moment. I can't see any way in any world where that could be a penalty. I can't see a connection with the arm, but if there is it's because he connects with [Auston] Trusty and he pushes his arm up.

"It's a shame that a good game, with good tempo and intensity gets decided in a situation like that."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "Iheanacho has been terrific for us with the little cameo roles that he's done. He's had a really frustrating time with hamstring problems, but he has come up big for us in these weeks.

"I have seen it back very, very briefly - it's a handball, it looks as if it's also an elbow to the side of the head as well. VAR have asked the referee to come over and have a look at it, and he's [had] no hesitation in giving the penalty."

O'Neill on dramatic victory over Motherwell

What next for these teams?

Celtic host Hearts on the final day in Glasgow on Saturday (12:30 BST)

Motherwell complete their campaign with a trip to face Hibernian at the same time, with the prize of fourth place and guaranteed Conference League football at stake.

Player of the match

T. Sparrow
7.39
7 T. Sparrow
7.39
21 E. Just
7.37
4 L. Gordon
7.32
20 E. Watt
7.24
8 C. Slattery
7.12
2 S. O'Donnell
7.06
90 I. Said
7.04
18 T. Maswanhise
7.02
77 Regan Charles-Cook
7.02
22 J. Koutroumbis
7.01
12 L. Fadinger
6.99
45 E. Longelo
6.94
66 C. Hendry
6.94
25 O. Priestman
6.77
13 C. Ward
6.66
19 S. Nicholson
6.60
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