Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to penalty controversy in Celtic’s draw vs Hearts
Celtic kept themselves in the title race on Sunday as they played out a 2-2 draw with current table toppers Hearts.
While Martin O’Neill will be aggrieved that his side could not hold onto their lead late on against Hearts, it ensures they remain only six points behind the Jam Tarts.
However, the match was full of controversies, with Auston Trusty’s red card proving to be a contentious decision at Tynecastle.
Nevertheless, Celtic are perhaps fortunate that the game didn’t end in a defeat, with Hearts having a big penalty claim turned down.
Keith Hackett: Hearts should have been awarded a penalty against Celtic
With Celtic, Rangers and Hearts locked in a tight title race battle, every point could matter.
Therefore, Derek McInnes’ side would have no doubt felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty in their tie against the Hoops.
At one point in the match, Liam Scales attempted to control a loose ball which had been fired into the Celtic box.
However, instead of making contact with the ball, his leg would strike Hearts’ Harry Milne, who went down in the area.
Scales on Milne
— Ewen Cameron (@EwenDCameron) January 26, 2026
Why was this not a penalty?
Why did VAR not look at this potential penalty?#Hearts #Celtic pic.twitter.com/eIo3IsF8Rj
Yet, the referee did not award a spot kick, and VAR did not advise the official to review the footage of the incident.
As a result, when Keith Hackett viewed the incident, he exclusively told Football Insider that a penalty should have been awarded.
He said: “I believe that this was a careless challenge by the Celtic player, who whilst keeping his vision on the ball. In attempting to play the ball, his knee came into contact with his opponent, and the challenge came into the category of careless, not reckless.
“VAR should, in my opinion, have advised the referee to visit the monitor on the basis that not awarding a penalty kick was a clear and obvious error.
“This offence should have seen the award of a penalty kick only.
“No other sanction of a card would be appropriate.”
Celtic continue to concede few penalties in the Scottish Premiership
According to Fotmob on 26 January, since the 2023-24 campaign, the Hoops have only conceded eight penalties in the Scottish Premiership.
This is by far the least of any team that has remained in the top-flight continuously throughout this period.
| Least penalties conceded in the Scottish Premiership this season | |
| St Mirren | 1 |
| Motherwell | 2 |
| Hibernian | 2 |
| Rangers | 3 |
| Celtic | 3 |
| Aberdeen | 3 |
The next lowest is Rangers, who have had 11 penalties go against them in this period.
Therefore, the Hoops can no doubt count themselves lucky that this tally wasn’t added to on Sunday.