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🎧 Hearts Daily: Hearts braced for final-day title decider

Image source, SNS

Hearts' fan owners have expressed "extreme concerns" over refereeing decisions in the title run-in.

Celtic faced the task of needing a three-goal win over long-time leaders Hearts on Saturday before a controversial last-gasp penalty award allowed the defending champions to snatch a dramatic winner at Motherwell on Wednesday night.

Now any victory will do for Celtic in the title decider, while Hearts can win the league by avoiding defeat.

Hearts boss Derek McInnes branded the spot-kick award "disgusting", with his frustration compounded by his belief his side should have had at least one penalty in a draw at Fir Park last weekend.

And there was controversy in Celtic's win over Rangers on Sunday when Alistair Johnston escaped with a yellow card for a challenge on Mikey Moore and Benjamin Nygren was ruled not to be interfering with play when standing in an offside position at Yang Hyun-jun's equaliser.

A statement from the Foundation of Hearts, the club's majority shareholder, said: "All of us at the FoH congratulate our magnificent team and manager, Derek McInnes, on their outstanding achievements in this momentous season, and urge all Heart of Midlothian supporters to get right behind them for Saturday's final game of the campaign.

"We have, however, been extremely concerned by a number of refereeing and VAR decisions across the last two rounds of fixtures, which have had a significant impact on outcomes for Hearts and others.

"That this has occurred at such a crucial stage of the season is particularly disappointing. We understand that the club shares these concerns and has made representations to the football authorities seeking clarification on recent decisions.

"At a time when Scottish football is subject to heightened scrutiny, both nationally and internationally, it is important that confidence in officiating standards is maintained.

"We therefore call on those responsible for the officiating of Saturday's match to ensure that the highest standards of decision-making are applied, so that the game is decided by the players on the pitch and the team is given the fair opportunity it has earned."

Image source, SNS

Hearts defender Frankie Kent admits it was difficult to stay focused on the football during their 3-0 win against Falkirk given events elsewhere.

When Kent fired in the opener at Tynecastle, Motherwell were 1-0 up at home to Celtic meaning the Premiership title would have been heading to Gorgie on Wednesday night.

A night of drama followed and in the end Hearts won 3-0 while Celtic's late penalty at Fir Park edged a five-goal epic to set up a final-day decider at Parkhead, where the visitors can clinch their first title since 1960 with a draw.

"There was a lot of emotion in the game, especially at the start," Kent, 30, said.

"So I think it probably took us a while to settle into the game because of what could be and what we could have expected.

"One more to go, we've done all we can do, it's just one last push and hopefully we can get over the line.

"We heard the noise [when Motherwell went 1-0 up] and that sort of gave us a little spur on.

"It's quite difficult to hold the emotion and stay concentrated on the game. This season can hopefully change a lot of our lives and be a special season to remember.

"Saturday is going to be one hell of a game and something we can look forward to."

Hearts-supporting MP Ian Murray has backed Derek McInnes' side to win the title "the hard way" after Celtic's "gut-wrenching" penalty set up a final-day decider at Parkhead.

Kelechi Iheanacho's spot-kick deep in added time - awarded after Sam Nicholson was deemed to have handball the ball from a Celtic throw-in - kept the defending champions a point behind Hearts, who beat Falkirk 3-0.

It means Hearts will be crowned Scottish champions for the first time in 66 years only if they avoid defeat at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Speaking on the BBC's Mornings programme, former Scottish secretary and lifelong Hearts fan Murray criticised the "inconsistency" that led to Celtic being awarded the spot-kick when when his own team had been denied "two clearer penalties" at the weekend.

"I don't think that it was a penalty," he said.

"People should throw a ball at each other today and see if they can get a ball to go back out for a throw-in just by hitting it with a hand.

"It just would not do that. And I think it's just the inconsistency of it.

"It's gut-wrenching. It's devastating, and everyone seems to be against us.

"If we're going to win this title, we're going to do it the hard way.

"We've just got to keep believing we can get it, and if we do it on Saturday, all of this have become pretty irrelevant.

"We're Jambos after all. If we didn't have the faith, we wouldn't be there, we wouldn't be wearing the maroon.

"So, I've sent my daughter off to school this morning in her Hearts kit as an act of defiance."

The fallout from Celtic's 99th-minute highly contentious penalty winner at Fir Park rumbles on.

With the score tied at 2-2, referee John Beaton, after being sent for an onfield review, judged Motherwell defender Sam Nicholson to have handled the ball inside the box and awarded a spot-kick.

Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho converted to keep Martin O'Neill's side one point behind leaders Hearts and take the title race to a final-day showdown between the two at Parkhead.

Former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "I think it's the magnitude of the decision, the repercussions of it.

"I think in any other game of the season you probably can't say bad decision but because of the repercussions of it, and what was at stake at that point, at that minute in the game, not just for Hearts but also for Motherwell.

"It wasn't a clear and obvious error by a referee so why is VAR getting involved? That's the big question.

"It's a massive swing in the game and it's a hugely controversial decision. This is a decision that will get talked about for years to come."

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton wrote on X, external: "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."

Former Premiership referee Steve Conroy told BBC Radio Scotland: "It's a nonsense to think anybody could say that that was a deliberate attempt at a handball.

"This is an indication of a systemic failure from the SFA in how we deal with VAR. They have not got to grips with it. The same mistakes happen every week, the same officials are making these mistakes."

The Herald football writer Stephen McGowantold the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "I just think we've jumped through the looking glass with handball rule now.

"You take away the tribalism that surrounds this issue and nobody has a clue what the rule really is and when VAR should be getting involved.

"Can I say definitively that was a handball last night? No. Can I say definitively it was not a handball? No. Can anyone say that with absolute certainty? No. Least of all the officials.

"Therefore you get to the point where you say, should VAR really be getting involved in that? Now I've seen some more angles the ball has struck his hand, but as I say, it is not definitive in any shape or form."

Hearts fans, we asked for your views after the 3-0 victory against Falkirk and Celtic's win at Motherwell which will take the title race to the final day.

Here's what some of you said:

Fraser: Fantastic night for Hearts once again at Tynecastle. The atmosphere was brilliant only to be spoilt by an absolutely incredible decision to award Celtic a penalty kick with the last kick of their game. Ludicrous decision. Can only hope we use that decision along with everything else against us this season to fire ourselves to glory at Celtic Park.

Joe: So close to such a memorable night, but still an amazing win. Frankie Kent showing his quality with the opener, always knew the boy had it in him. A fantastic result to take into Saturday and make history, keep believing.

Brian: Apart from the first 10 or 15 minutes Hearts were in complete control. Alexandros Kyziridis had a great game and looked a real handful and Harry Milne added a creative spark too. Throughout the season Hearts have shown what can only be described as true grit to grind out results and get us where we are. There's no reason why we cant get a result on Saturday.

Lazlo: The world is looking at us and the headlines make for grim reading. Non-penalties given to Celtic and stonewallers not given to us - Scottish football in a nutshell. It's a cup final against Celtic for the league. Their arrogance may be their undoing.

Calum: We have come too far now to give up. I think last night was our best and most dominant performance for quite a while - we simply have to take that momentum and sharpness into Saturday. Believe.

Alfo: A result against Celtic isn't an easy ask but these Jambos bend the knee to no one. The whole footballing world is rooting for Hearts to claim the title honours that their performances this season merit. One last effort and these players etch their names permanently in Heart of Midlothian folklore and beyond.

Image source, SNS

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland tells BBC Sportsound: "We were fully prepared for going to Celtic Park at the weekend and needing a result.

"Obviously we were aware the situation could have changed but all that was in our heads was to win tonight and go again at the weekend.

"We've been there and won a couple of times during my time as a Hearts player. We go there confident and we've been top of the league all season.

"It's a 90-minute cup final, it's as simple as that. If you offered us that at the start of the season we would have taken it all day.

"It's going to be two teams looking to go for it and going for a title and it'll be exciting for everyone."

Image source, SNS

Hearts will be Scottish champions for the first time since 1960 if they avoid defeat at Celtic Park on Saturday after sweeping aside Falkirk at a raucous Tynecastle.

Read the full match report here.

Have your say on the game here.

Image source, SNS

"When they were checking a 96th minute penalty, you assume they [Celtic] are getting it," Hearts head coach Derek McInnes told Sky Sports after Celtic's late spot kick kept them a point behind the league leaders going into the final game in Glasgow.

"It's disgusting. We're up against everybody. I don't think it's a penalty.

"If I'm Motherwell, I'm really disappointed. It's so poor and it looks as though [Celtic] have been given it. They are very fortunate.

"It's going to the last game. We're delighted to be part of it.

"To do it, we're going to have to go and get a positive result. What a game it's going to be."

Reflecting on his own side's 3-0 win over Falkirk, which ensured that a draw at Celtic Park would see Hearts crowned champions, he said he was proud of his side.

"I thought the focus and concentration of the game was really good.

"For us to get to 80 points with a game to go is unbelieveable shooting.

"It's great effort from everybody and I couldn't be more proud of the team for dealing with the game."

Image source, SNS

Hearts legend Gary Mackay says it would be "wonderful" for supporters who saved the club almost 10 years ago to witness a first top-flight title in over 60 years.

The 62-year-old was playing for Hearts last time they got close to the title, missing out to Celtic on goal difference on that fateful final day in 1986 after a 2-0 defeat to Dundee.

Since then the club has faced relegations, promotions and almost shut its doors for good in 2013 due to off-field financial issues and an ongoing legal dispute between the club and Lithuanian financial authorities.

Now Hearts are supporter owned and Mackay would love to see the fans repaid for their faith.

With two games of a thrilling season remaining, Hearts host Falkirk tonight while Celtic - a point behind - visit Motherwell.

"This is a new time for Hearts," Mackay told BBC Radio Scotland.

"If we'd have thought this time last year, never mind this time 40 years ago, that Hearts were going to be sitting with two games to go to win the Premiership we would have been ecstatic.

"There are nerves and anxiety but there will be nerves and anxiety in the Celtic camp too. It's up to us to make sure we look after our side of the bargain.

"I think back to the people 10 years ago who were starting up 'Save our Hearts' and the club was becoming fan owned, there's been so much that's happened that it would be wonderful for these people, who aren't footballers but who have a love of the club, [to see them win].

"Tonight, because it's at Tynecastle and you're going into it unbeaten at home, I think Derek McInnes will be urging them to give more of the same."

Image source, SNS

Wherever Lawrence Shankland goes, there is no escaping title talk.

Never in his wildest dreams did the striker expect to be two games from Premiership glory when he ended a summer of speculation by signing a new three-year deal last summer.

But here he is. The prize is tantalisingly close. Hearts can even be crowned champions tonight – if they beat Falkirk at home and Celtic lose at Motherwell – and captain Shankland is adopting a tunnel-vision approach.

"There's obviously a lot to think about and take in. It's an exciting opportunity," said Shankland.

"There's a lot of talk around the place, and even outwith the building, everywhere you go, people like to talk to you about it.

"So it isn't easy, as professionals we've got a job to do. First and foremost we need to go and win the Falkirk game.

"There will be nerves, it's totally normal. You're a human being after all and when you get this close to achieving something great it's only normal to have them.

"It's just about controlling them, but throughout the season we've dealt with that really well. There's been all sorts of different pressures. We've been behind in a lot, we've had to come back.

"I've said to the boys a few times, we've dealt with every position you could possibly be in this season. We've dealt with it and we've come through it. That needs to continue."

Hearts remain unbeaten at Tynecastle this season, winning 14 of their 18 league matches. And Shankland is adamant the anger and frustration of being denied a penalty in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Motherwell – where Alexandros Kyziridis was clipped in the box by Tawanda Maswanhise – has been consigned to history.

"You need to move on," he said. "Throughout the season there's a lot of moments that become tough and you feel a wee bit down, but you need to move on quickly.

"We've done that really well this season. Every time we've suffered a wee setback, we've always bounced back and got a win straight after it. So it's important we go and do that again."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

When Tony Bloom told us back in August he thought the Hearts team he had taken a minority stake in could split the Old Firm this season many questioned the sanity of the Brighton owner.

And yet here we are, nine months down the road and Bloom's prediction has happened with Rangers now guaranteed to finish no better than third.

With every point Hearts dropped came predictions they would fall away now, but those within Tynecastle stayed firm. Not only do they remain top, they could be crowned champions tonight.

However, after the weekend results the Hearts doubters are saying the title will be heading to Celtic Park following the next two fixtures.

They may be proven right but one thing we have learned this season is that when serious questions have been asked of this Hearts team they have been answered with a positivity few other clubs could have managed.

The manner of the two dropped points on Saturday at Fir Park may well still hurt those of a maroon persuasion but for Derek McInnes and his players that moment has now gone and it is on to the next task.

Falkirk under John McGlynn have posed real threats to every Premiership team this season so anyone thinking this game will be simple should think again.

The players, whether they like it or not, will be kept up to speed with events at Motherwell but first of all they must take care of business themselves.

Tonight will be full of tension, nerves and potentially controversy.

Tynecastle will be no place for the faint-hearted. This could, however, be the biggest night in the club's history for decades and the best night of their lives for Hearts fans.