MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND - MAY 13: Referee John Beaton consults with VAR before awarding Celtic a penalty during a William Hill Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park, on May 13, 2026, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic overcame an incredible performance by John Beaton to earn a 3-2 victory away to Motherwell.
With Hearts beating Falkirk at the same time the top two meet at Celtic Park on Saturday to decide the destiny of the SPFL Premiership.
Throughout the second half there was a constant flow of decisions against Celtic.
Motherwell players were able to barge through their opponents without any punishment.
It was draining on the Celtic players as they chased their sixth successive SPFL win in a row.
The match was level at 1-1 at half-time with all to play for.
Ben Nygren fired Celtic into the lead in the 58th minute but there was always going to be a long long way to go.
The game went from end to end. For Celtic the prize was an SPFL title play-off, a win would have assured Motherwell of fourth place and a UEFA Conference qualifier.
In the 84th minute Kelechi Iheanacho was wiped out by Stephen O’Donnell 30 yards from goal.
Bizarrely play restarted with a free kick for Motherwell, within a minute substitute Liam Gordon popped in an equaliser.
— mcsauce_utd (@mcsauce_utd_) May 13, 2026
The fourth official signalled for five additional minutes.
BEATON FORCED INTO AWARDING CELTIC A PENALTY
In the fifth minute of stoppage time Auston Trusty was challenged by three home players as he attempted to head the ball on.
The Celtic defender was clattered but Beaton had no intention of awarding a penalty.
In his two previous Celtic matches, at Ibrox on March 1 and against Motherwell on March 14 he had required VAR to provide Celtic with a penalty.
As Trusty lay on the ground injured word came through that a VAR check was being carried out.
As well as fouling Trusty it was clear that one of the Motherwell defenders had raised his arm.
After a pitchside review Beaton returned to award Celtic a penalty.
There was no need for the review, Dallas should have instructed Beaton to award the penalty.
In the 98th minute Kelechi Iheanacho calmly slotted the penalty into the net.
There was no time to restart the match with Celtic taking the points.
The SFA have still to announce the match officials for Celtic’s match at home to Hearts.
NOTE: Beaton’s career in refereeing should have ended in March 2014 after Albion Rovers were denied a Scottish Cup win at Ibrox.
“ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.”
I knew before the game thzt Vheatin’ Beaton would have a big say. Celtic should demand he never get near our games. He is a disgrace but our spineless board will let it go. No penalty or even VAR review for thr keeper wiping out Maeda. Expect more of the same on Saturday. Opetation Stop Celtic in full flow.
McInness should be in big trouble for his remarks on the Celtic penalty decision tonight….miserable,dour,bitter man.
If we manage to win it on Saturday I’ll feel it a wee bit for most the Hearts players and some fans to some extent,but not a bit for McInness.
Had to have a look on wollowwollow to wollow in ‘their’ sorrows.
I wasn’t disappointed. Apparently the diets’ manager (another hun) called our late, correctly-given for hand-ball, penalty a disgrace. I’ve watched it several times having missed it in real time. One of the guys behind Trusty whilst trying to impede Trusty also jumps up with hand in front of forehead and plays the ball with said hand. CLEAR PENALTY, or Beaton wouldn’t have given it. They call the correct implementation of the rules “corruption”. “It disnae suit us so it’s wrang so it is”.
Anyway, this one really tickled me. A Jock Wallace fan, the same one who played in goal for Berwick when they famously knocked the original huns out the SC and later managed them by making them run up and down Gullane sands in bin bags for ‘training’. Laugh???
Anyway, here from ‘Jock Battle Fever Wallace’: “More and more, I want him (Delboy) at Ibrox as Rangers manager. Well done for calling the bastards out.”
Clearly the death of his ‘club’ has escaped the poor dear and playing by the rules is a no-no. You shouldn’t laugh at those afflicted but it’s fukkin near impossible not to.
Am I the only one that thinks the goalie ploughing through Maeda before catching the ball was a penalty.
I also thought the squashed maeda was a certain penalty. So sash face is disgusted GOOD. I hope we put 5 by them on Saturday and shut up the moans that the whole world is against them. Pathetic.
Anmcq14 @ 1.03am…
Five would be nice but 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5-4, etc also makes us Champions as well…
Just one more effort guys…
Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze make it so !
Wonder what his thoughts wuda been if it was 2-1 Celtic and that was a Well claim for a pen and not given?
Yeah I know , exactly the same, a disgrace.
Sorry if there’s any diets reading but if we do beat uz I will be ecstatic cos that bigoted wee rat will have lost rather than ur club.
Why the player throw his body back after contact he knew his hand touch the ball and the ex professionals on the panel saying the ball would land at his feet if your hand between head and ball the ball would go remember ball didnt reach the bye line its the time it happened the circamstances and the big disapointment words were said that have to be explained McGuinnes didnt even mention Celtic he reffered to Celtic as them mans just hates Celtic there history this is a man that magmde souness mind up to leave Rangers by celebrating winning cup or league by singing billy boy song and souness and couple of R.C. in the team from winning the league to having to go to Celtic park in front of 60,000 fans baying for his blood his own fualt by comments he has made against Celtic that he just calls it them and us walter smith used that phrase its as if the name Celtic get stuck in the throat