Hearts moved four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a controversial 1-1 draw at Motherwell, but the cost was high as key duo Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard suffered season-ending Achilles injuries. Manager Derek McInnes also vented fury at a second-half penalty decision that went against his side.
Match Summary
Hearts fell behind for the fifth consecutive game when Stephen Kingsley bundled an attempted clearance into his own net. Lawrence Shankland equalised before the break, setting the stage for a tense second half.
Penalty Controversy
The major talking point arrived in the 66th minute. Substitute Alexandros Kyziridis went short to receive a corner and went down under the outstretched leg of Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise inside the box. Referee Steven McLean was sent to the pitch-side monitor by VAR but stuck with his original decision to not award a penalty.
McInnes was scathing in his assessment. "It should be a penalty kick, the referee had a poor game tonight," he said. "The explanation to me is, 'Yes, there's contact, but I don't think there's enough contact'. Everybody will tell you that's played the game there doesn't need to be a lot of contact, but if there's contact and you're going at that speed and you're fouled... it's a penalty kick."
Kyziridis told Sky Sports: "I ran to the ball, felt something in my leg, otherwise I would never jump. For me it is a clear penalty. I thought the referee would 100 per cent give it. It is what it is."
Injury Blow
McInnes confirmed that centre-back Halkett and midfielder Leonard will miss the final week of the season with separate Achilles injuries. Halkett was stretchered off, and Leonard was later seen on crutches after being substituted.
"Unfortunately for us it's been a sore night for us with Leonard and Halkett's injuries, really bad injuries, which is so unusual and we have to contend with that," McInnes said. "Obviously both boys are a bit distraught."
Title Race Implications
The draw means Celtic can reduce the deficit to just one point if they defeat Rangers in Sunday's Old Firm derby. Hearts could still win their first league title since 1960 at Tynecastle against Falkirk on Wednesday, depending on Celtic's result.
