'Disgusting': Hearts boss Derek McInnes rages at Celtic penalty decision in game he wasn't even part of

Derek McInnes will use the sense that it’s Hearts against the world after he watched his side beat Falkirk to set up a titanic title shootout against Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Hearts manager said on Tuesday that he wasn’t interested in being kept abreast of the situation with nearest rivals Celtic at Motherwell.

He added that he presumed they would win – and he was right. But the circumstances left a sour taste in his mouth. He branded the penalty Celtic were awarded six minutes into added time as “disgusting”.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes presided over a 3-0 win over Falkirk. | SNS Group

The spot kick, converted by Kelechi Iheanacho, gave Martin O’Neill’s side a 3-2 win over Motherwell and means Hearts, who beat Falkirk 3-0 as they had to do, now need a result in the east end of Glasgow rather than simply avoid a three-goal margin of defeat. It could be hugely significant.

“I'd heard there was a 96-minute penalty,” said McInnes. “I didn't need to ask who for.”

The manager had fumed about two penalties Hearts were denied last Saturday night against Motherwell that he felt had robbed them of two points. This time ex-Hearts player Sam Nicholson was adjudged to have handled the ball by referee John Beaton following a VAR check.

"Having seen that, it feels like us against everybody," he said. "When you see the two that we didn't get at the weekend and then you see that, how they can arrive at that situation? Celtic have, I'm sure, more than a touch of fortune at getting that penalty. But I'm getting more and more dismayed at some of the decisions that our referees are coming up with. It's such a bad decision. Motherwell must feel totally aggrieved about it. I had to keep looking at it. I thought I was missing something when I was watching it. I had to ask, what am I looking for here? So, it's actually quite disgusting, to be honest. It feels like us against everybody.”

The players were milling around on the Tynecastle pitch when they heard the situation had changed at Fir Park. They were still taking he applause of the home fans. Not only are Hearts still top of the league, they have just completed an unbeaten league season at home for the first time since 1985-86. No one needs reminded about what happened at the end of that campaign.

McInnes is confident his side can complete a miracle season by securing what they need in a forbidding arena. Hearts will only have around 750 fans, Celtic will have 60,000. McInnes was asked for a message to these lucky supporters who will follow the side to Glasgow as Hearts seek to claim a first Scottish title since 1960.

“Sing as loud as you can,” he said. “It'll be hard to hear them, but we know they're there. We know who we're representing. We know how many people will be watching. It's not just about who's there. But actually, getting into that lion's den still being an underdog.

“Even though we've been top of the league since September or so. But we're still the underdog. For us to be competing with Celtic, with the money they've got and everything they've got at their disposal. It's a huge effort for our team. And we look forward to it, as I say.”