Hearts secured a 2-0 victory over Falkirk at Tynecastle, but the win was overshadowed by a controversial late penalty awarded to Celtic in their match against Motherwell. The penalty, converted deep into stoppage time, altered the Premiership title race, leaving Hearts needing only a point from their final game at Celtic Park to clinch the league.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes expressed fury over the decision, labelling it “disgusting”. He said: “I heard there was a 96th-minute penalty. I didn’t need to ask who for. I’m getting more and more dismayed at some of the decisions our referees are coming up with. It’s such a bad decision. We’re up against everybody.”
Hearts had taken the lead through Frankie Kent’s header from a corner, before Cammy Devlin doubled the advantage with a deflected strike. The result leaves Hearts unbeaten at home in the league this season, but the focus now shifts to Saturday’s showdown at Celtic Park, where a draw would end their 64-year wait for a top-flight title.
McInnes praised Celtic’s recent form but admitted the penalty decision has added an extra edge to the title race. He also referenced a previous non-penalty decision against Hearts, adding to a sense of injustice. Despite the frustration, the Hearts boss acknowledged the remarkable achievement of taking the title race to the final day.
