Martin O’Neill believes the uproar surrounding Celtic’s dramatic late penalty against Motherwell has been fuelled by the wider title race — insisting many neutrals are desperate to see Hearts come out on top.
The controversial stoppage-time award at Fir Park sparked fierce debate after Sam Nicholson was judged to have handled the ball inside the area, allowing Kelechi Iheanacho to convert from the spot.
The decision drew criticism from several well-known pundits, including Gary Lineker, Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist, while Hearts manager Derek McInnes labelled the call “disgusting”.
However, fresh footage from alternative camera angles has since appeared to show contact between Nicholson’s arm and the ball, with O’Neill adamant referee John Beaton made the correct call under the current laws.
Speaking ahead of Celtic’s title decider against Hearts, the Hoops boss admitted the handball rule itself remains deeply flawed and believes the issue must be addressed at the end of the season.
He said via Daily Record: “It’s been magnified because of the occasion as much as anything else. A couple of things. One – I think it’s a penalty. He’s handled the ball, his arm is around his neck too, but that’s another thing.
“In the wider scheme of things, we’ve seen penalties given throughout Europe that looks really harsh. The handball should be a major discussion point in the summer to see what we’re doing.”
O’Neill feels the current interpretation of the law has become too inconsistent and says clarity is urgently needed.
“The handball should be uniform, straightforward. This accidental handball in unnatural positions… people even being pushed into situations – all that has to look at. But as the rules stand at this minute, it’s a penalty,” he added.
Hibs v Celtic, Easter Road, Scottish Premiership, 3 May 2026. Photo Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
The Irishman also claimed the backlash was unsurprising given the stakes involved in the Premiership title race.
“Am I surprised? No, because everyone wants Hearts to win. If it wasn’t Hearts, it’d be Rangers or someone else. That’s the nature of it. I motivate myself from it.”
Celtic now head into Saturday’s showdown knowing victory would seal one of the most dramatic league triumphs in the club’s recent history, although O’Neill admits the pressure is firmly on his own players.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it now. It’s a big game, naturally, we have to win it. Hearts don’t. So the advantage is with them in that aspect. But we’ll go out all guns blazing.
“If you’d have said to me after Tannadice we’d have to win all our games, I’d have thought that’d have been a tall order. I just think the players are ready for the game.”
O’Neill believes the adversity faced in recent weeks has hardened his squad mentally heading into the decisive encounter at Celtic Park.
“They’ve had things their own way in recent times, now they’ve had to fight. The game is in the balance. We’re at home, we have to win. Hearts have to avoid defeat. It’ll be a tough game for both teams.”
The 74 year-old also revealed the game is expected to mark the end of his return spell in the Celtic dugout, admitting the occasion carries added emotion.
“More than a reasonable chance that it will be my last game. I suppose it is emotional,” he said.
“Genuinely, it was a privilege to come back again for a start. I’d never have thought in a million years that this would’ve happened.
“I should actually enjoy it. When I left here in 2005, I didn’t come back as a manager in 2007 or 09. I had to wait 20-odd years to do that.”
Conor Spence
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1 Comment
Of course MoN is correct in his assessment. He couldn’t actually say, that it’s also driven by the Hun mentality, of bitterness and hatred towards ourselves, but I will say it.
Ever since we condemned the scum to 3rd place, they have been all out in full support of their cousins. Likewise the hibs support remains in our favour, due to there own rivalry.
Difference was hibs still managed to take care of there own business required beforehand.
The backlash has been embarrassing as much as spectacular, for just a fairly straightforward decision taken. Only confirms what we continue to have to overcome within Scottish football as a result?
Problem still remains, that this level of bitterness and hatred, is all fuelled by the bigotry that exists within the anti Catholic culture that remains in existence within Scottish football, and is still rife.
Can totally understand the neutral wanting hearts to end our dominance of Scottish football. But just how many of them actually exist, when the noise of the Hun mentality still takes preference?
This remains an ongoing issue we have to continue with, in Scottish football.
But still remain proud, that we don’t run and hide within the battle that we continue to face up to imo?
In that regards, we are already the winners today, regardless of todays result?
By winning, would be the deserved prize for our supporters, in remaining true to our values in the support of our team, in what we continue to having to overcome within Scottish football imo?
COYBIG