11th October 2026; Fir Park, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Referee Steven McLean
Celtic were denied a clear penalty early in the second half of their 2-0 win over Motherwell.
Leading 1-0 at the break the hoops piled forward in search of a second goal to end their run of three successive defeats.
There had already been a few near things at the start of the second half when Celtic built things up down the left in the 52nd minute.
When the ball was laid back to Callum McGregor the skipper had only one thought in mind- a shot at goal.
As he sent the ball goalwards a Motherwell defender turned away, raising his hands and deflecting the ball wide.
Steven McLean saw the contact and awarded a corner.
CELTIC ON THE END OF DOUBLE STANDARDS FROM COLLUM’S REFEREES
Play was then held up as Don Robertson performed a VAR review.
Robertson of course has a lengthy charge sheet of giving decisions against Celtic.
In May of this year he happily allowed Joe Newell to use his arm twice before equalising in a post-split fixture.
The review lasted less than a minute. Clearly Robertson decided that the incident was worth another look but ultimately opted against awarding Celtic a penalty.
Sky Sports didn’t linger on the incident.
It was included in their post match analysis but not to any great extent.
?? ”I’ve seen them given”
?? “If that’s given, it’s not overturned”Kris Boyd and James McFadden analyse Celtic’s penalty claim ?? https://t.co/VKbZ01A1tq
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 11, 2026
In complete contrast when Celtic were awarded a penalty away to Motherwell on May 13 it seems that Scottish football went into meltdown.
Sam Nicholson elbowed Auston Trusty in the face before putting his hand in front of his forehead to clear a throw in.
Kris Boyd went into meltdown- while covering Hearts v Falkirk from Tynecastle.
Derek McInnes decided to get involved, claiming that the decision to award Celtic a penalty for handball was disgusting.
That was enough to set the paranoid off and running all summer long.
From George Foulkes to Ewen Cameron they were all screaming foul.
It is unlikely that today’s non-award of a penalty for Celtic will be given round the clock treatment this week.
It’ll get buried , just like the handball yesterday that even had McCann raging
Then another Hearts nobody will get wheeled out to talk about the great injustice that the peoples champions suffered