KELECHI IHEANACHO SCORED a VAR-assisted penalty winner nine minutes into stoppage-time to boost Celtic’s Premiership title defence thanks to a 3-2 comeback win at Motherwell as the most dramatic title race in decades took another sensational twist.
Iheanacho slotted a spot-kick as former Hearts midfielder Sam Nicholson was penalised for handball after jumping to head the ball away. The ball appeared to hit his raised hand right in front of his head.
Another former Hearts player Liam Gordon had appeared to hand his old club a massive advantage in the title race after netting an 85th-minute equaliser.
Celtic were heading into a title decider needing to beat the Jambos by three goals and they did not look like getting a winner until referee John Beaton was called to the monitor by video assistant Andrew Dallas as five minutes of stoppage-time were coming to a close.
Beaton pointed to the spot and Iheanacho kept his cool to seal victory and spark a pitch invasion from the visiting fans.
Motherwell had been heading into Europe moments earlier but the penalty drama was compounded by Hibernian’s late winner at Ibrox and they will now need to avoid defeat at Easter Road on Saturday to secure fourth.
Hearts will have to avoid defeat away to Celtic on Saturday in order to win the title after a 3-0 home win over depleted Falkirk maintained their one-point advantage at the top.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill. Alamy
Alamy
The Tynecastle side knew victory in their final home match of the campaign would see them become champions of Scotland for the first time since 1960, only if the second-placed Hoops lost at Motherwell.
While the second part of that scenario ultimately failed to materialise, Derek McInnes’ long-time leaders ensured they did enough to keep themselves at the summit heading into Saturday’s title-decider at Celtic Park.
Frankie Kent and Cammy Devlin both netted in the first half to ease the tension before Blair Spittal struck near the end as Hearts completed a full season unbeaten at home in the top flight for the first time since the 1985-86 season.
Rangers’ post-split collapse continued with a 2-1 defeat against Hibernian amid controversy surrounding captain James Tavernier’s role at his Ibrox send-off.
The 34-year-old right-back withdrew from the squad after being named on the bench by Danny Rohl for what was to be his last game in Govan after 11 years at the club – then emerged from the tunnel to be presented with a commemorative shield by former Gers skipper and manager John Greig with the fans enthusiastic in their cheers, before they settled down to more despair.
After three defeats in a row for the first time since 2000, the pressure was on Rangers who fell behind after just five minutes to a fine Martin Boyle finish.
Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger pulled off a series of saves and there was also some poor Gers finishing before midfielder Thelo Aasgaard levelled with a terrific free-kick four minutes from the break.
But in the final minute of the game Hibs substitute Dane Scarlett scored from close range to take all three points back to Easter Road.
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Late Celtic winner sets up final day title showdown against Hearts
Results – Scottish Premiership
*****
KELECHI IHEANACHO SCORED a VAR-assisted penalty winner nine minutes into stoppage-time to boost Celtic’s Premiership title defence thanks to a 3-2 comeback win at Motherwell as the most dramatic title race in decades took another sensational twist.
Iheanacho slotted a spot-kick as former Hearts midfielder Sam Nicholson was penalised for handball after jumping to head the ball away. The ball appeared to hit his raised hand right in front of his head.
Another former Hearts player Liam Gordon had appeared to hand his old club a massive advantage in the title race after netting an 85th-minute equaliser.
Celtic were heading into a title decider needing to beat the Jambos by three goals and they did not look like getting a winner until referee John Beaton was called to the monitor by video assistant Andrew Dallas as five minutes of stoppage-time were coming to a close.
Beaton pointed to the spot and Iheanacho kept his cool to seal victory and spark a pitch invasion from the visiting fans.
Motherwell had been heading into Europe moments earlier but the penalty drama was compounded by Hibernian’s late winner at Ibrox and they will now need to avoid defeat at Easter Road on Saturday to secure fourth.
Hearts will have to avoid defeat away to Celtic on Saturday in order to win the title after a 3-0 home win over depleted Falkirk maintained their one-point advantage at the top.
The Tynecastle side knew victory in their final home match of the campaign would see them become champions of Scotland for the first time since 1960, only if the second-placed Hoops lost at Motherwell.
While the second part of that scenario ultimately failed to materialise, Derek McInnes’ long-time leaders ensured they did enough to keep themselves at the summit heading into Saturday’s title-decider at Celtic Park.
Frankie Kent and Cammy Devlin both netted in the first half to ease the tension before Blair Spittal struck near the end as Hearts completed a full season unbeaten at home in the top flight for the first time since the 1985-86 season.
Rangers’ post-split collapse continued with a 2-1 defeat against Hibernian amid controversy surrounding captain James Tavernier’s role at his Ibrox send-off.
The 34-year-old right-back withdrew from the squad after being named on the bench by Danny Rohl for what was to be his last game in Govan after 11 years at the club – then emerged from the tunnel to be presented with a commemorative shield by former Gers skipper and manager John Greig with the fans enthusiastic in their cheers, before they settled down to more despair.
After three defeats in a row for the first time since 2000, the pressure was on Rangers who fell behind after just five minutes to a fine Martin Boyle finish.
Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger pulled off a series of saves and there was also some poor Gers finishing before midfielder Thelo Aasgaard levelled with a terrific free-kick four minutes from the break.
But in the final minute of the game Hibs substitute Dane Scarlett scored from close range to take all three points back to Easter Road.
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Celtic Hearts Scotland Scottish Premiership title race