Credit: Imago, Sky Sports

Oliver Walton

Thu 14 May 2026 10:09, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Keith Hackett has insisted that Celtic should not have been awarded a penalty in the final knockings of their vital clash against Motherwell on Wednesday night.

Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up to fire Celtic to a 3-2 win against Motherwell after John Beaton gave a controversial penalty for handball against Sam Nicholson.

The Well defender was adjudged to have used his hand when jumping to clear the ball away from a long throw in the 97th minute of the clash.

Celtic are now firmly in with a chance of winning the Premiership title against table-toppers Hearts on Saturday afternoon after their victory at Fir Park.

Former FIFA referee Hackett has now weighed in on the controversy surrounding Celtic’s latest match that has sent social media into a frenzy.

Keith Hackett disagrees with late penalty awarded to Celtic vs Motherwell

Several pundits slammed the decision to award the Hoops a penalty, and ex-PGMOL chief Hackett has insisted that Nicholson did not commit an offence for referee Beaton to award the spot kick, despite initially thinking that it was a blatant handball when he first saw footage.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider after re-evaluating on Thursday, he said: “I have taken another look at the penalty kick awarded to Celtic in the 97th minute. My first observation was that it was awarded for handball.

“This judgment was based on the unnatural position of the defender’s arm. However, when you look at this incident on the big screen, there is no conclusive evidence that the ball has come into contact with the defender when he is clearing it with his head.

“We then look at the position of the defender’s arm, and for me, football is a contact sport and there is a natural coming together.

“I do not see a push that impacts on the Celtic player. So in review, I believe that this decision is incorrect.”

Hackett predicts SFA charge for Derek McInnes after ‘disgusting’ comments

Hearts boss McInnes watched his side beat Falkirk 3-0 to remain top of the league, but he could not hide his anger at Celtic being given a late spot kick to stay in the title race ahead of Saturday.

He labelled the decision “disgusting” and insisted that his side is “up against everything” regarding Scottish officials.

Hackett has told Football Insider that McInnes could be charged by the SFA, saying: “The statement calls into question the competence and integrity of the match official. I expect the SFA to investigate, and then to charge Derek McInnes.”