Scottish football risks 'ridicule' over Celtic penalty incident as Motherwell boss has call in worst ever camp

Controversy struck as Celtic won 3-2 with literally the last kick of the ball to remain a point off Hearts in the title race, who beat Falkirk 3-0 at Tynecastle, ahead of the pair’s meeting on the final day of the season at Parkhead. A ball into the box was cleared by Motherwell in second half stoppage time but VAR official Andrew Dallas deemed Sam Nicholson to have handled the ball inside the box after a challenge with Auston Trusty.

John Beaton ran to the monitor and pointed to the spot after consultation with VAR operator Andrew Dallas. Hearts manager Derek McInnes has branded it ‘disgusting’ while the call has been strongly called out across social media and the airwaves. Askou admits he hasn’t seen a worse call during his time in the game and was stunned to see Beaton beckoned to the monitor.

Should Celtic have had penalty vs Motherwell?

“I think it’s one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in my career taking everything into consideration,” Askou said. “It was a fantastic game to be a part of. What a night, with a great crowd, two good teams trying to give their best and all they could to get the game in their hands. I think we more than deserved the result until the unreal incident happened. We went for it knowing that because of the result at Ibrox was in our favour very late.

“It was about finding the right balance and I thought we found that and didn’t really give anything away. Got the equaliser deservedly. Another memorable performance together with our fans and we should be here with a point. It wouldn’t have made a huge difference regarding the job on Saturday but it would have given us a very different emotional state.

“I didn’t speak to the referee, no. I thought I’d seen it all this season but I hadn’t. If we keep making calls like we have done too many times we will end up being ridiculed as football country. I don’t think we deserve that because in so many ways this country is taking steps in the right direction. It’s a shame.

What did Martin O’Neill say about Celtic penalty vs Motherwell?

“Even watching it from the distance when it happened I was shocked he even got called to the monitor because he connected with his head. You could find a picture where it hits his finger, it’s because he connects with Auston Trusty and his arm gets pushed in the direction where he’s heading the ball. No matter what, it’s just a bad call.”

O’Neill meanwhile was delighted to see Celtic set up a final day showdown with Hearts at Parkhead this weekend. He insisted Beaton’s call was the right one.

“The lads have a little monitor, beside me” said O’Neill. “It’s very small. I can’t really see it. I need another pair of glasses to see it. The lads thought it was a handball, an elbow as well too. I felt we had a penalty in the first half but VAR cleared that one. We have to win the game. Hearts don’t but at least we’ve taken it there. It’ll be a big day. It’s nice to take it into the final game which looked a long way off five or six weeks ago. A monumental effort from the team and the supporters who were phenomenal and kept us going. They were cheering us on at 2-2. Major effort against a very good Hearts side.”