Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleKieran JacksonThursday 14 May 2026 10:29 BSTDerek McInnes is confident Hearts players can handle title pressureCeltic secured a last-minute victory against Motherwell after a controversial VAR penalty decision, leading to a winner-takes-all Scottish Premiership title decider against Hearts on the final day.The penalty was awarded to Celtic in the dying seconds for an alleged handball by Motherwell midfielder Sam Nicholson, though replays indicated the ball likely struck his head, not his hand.Hearts manager Derek McInnes vehemently criticised the decision, labelling it 'disgusting' and expressing disbelief, stating his team would be 'up against everybody' on Saturday.Pundits, including Gary Lineker and former Rangers striker Kris Boyd, also condemned the VAR call, with Lineker calling it potentially 'the worst VAR decision' he had ever seen.Despite the widespread criticism, Celtic boss Martin O'Neill defended the decision, stating he believed it was a 'clear-cut' handball and an elbow to the head, justifying the referee's call after VAR review.In full‘Worst VAR decision ever’: Hearts rage at ‘disgusting’ Celtic penalty call which keeps title race aliveThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in