Scottish Premiership: Celtic 3-2 Motherwell Result & Title Race Update

Hearts on brink of first title since 1960 as Celtic win late  

Celtic stayed one point behind Hearts after a dramatic 3-2 win secured by Iheanacho’s late penalty. The title will be decided on the final day.

Hearts beat Hibs 3-1 to move top, but Celtic’s 99th-minute penalty win means the Scottish Premiership title goes to a final-day decider...

Kelechi Iheanacho converted a 99th-minute penalty to give Celtic a dramatic 3-2 victory at Motherwell on Wednesday, setting up a title-deciding clash with Hearts on the final day of the Scottish Premiership season.

Hearts are on the brink of their first league title since 1960, and could become the first club outside the Old Firm to be crowned champions in 41 years.

Celtic stayed in the title race for a 14th championship in 15 years after Iheanacho’s penalty left them just one point behind going into the final day.

Hearts manager Derek McInnes called the penalty decision “disgusting,” arguing his team are “up against everything” as they try to break the Glasgow clubs’ grip on Scottish football.

If Celtic hadn’t scored late, they would have needed a three-goal win over Hearts on the final day to take the title.

Replays didn’t give a clear answer on whether the ball struck Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson on the hand as he cleared it during stoppage time.

McInnes was also angry that Hearts weren’t given a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Motherwell last Saturday.

“Having seen it again, it's disgusting,” McInnes told Sky Sports. “I don't think it's a penalty kick. We're up against it, we're up against everybody and well be ready for Saturday.”

McInnes added: “It's perfect in terms of drama for Scottish football, it's going to the last game. We're delighted we are part of it but we need to make sure we go and win the title now.”

A packed Tynecastle was set for a historic night in Edinburgh as Hearts chased a first title in decades.

For a spell, McInnes’ side looked on course to be crowned champions while Celtic were trailing at Fir Park.

After a tense opening, two goals in five minutes revived Hearts’ hopes.

Centre-back Frankie Kent opened the scoring with a powerful header, and Cammy Devlin made it 2-0 with a shot that took a deflection on its way in.

Blair Spittal added a late third, but the decisive drama was unfolding up the road in Motherwell.

Celtic have finished a difficult campaign strongly with seven straight wins, but they started slowly at Fir Park and fell behind to a deserved strike from Elliot Watt.

Daizen Maeda’s return to form has kept Celtic’s title hopes alive, and the Japan forward leveled before the break with his seventh goal in five games.

Benjamin Nygren’s superb strike put Celtic ahead, though a late push from Motherwell forced Martin O’Neill’s side deep into their own half.

Liam Gordon finished off a scramble in the box to put Hearts on the verge of a historic title.

Deep into stoppage time, a VAR check spotted Nicholson’s raised arm and referee John Beaton awarded a penalty.

✅#MOTCEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/YfZSikparJ

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 13, 2026

Former Manchester City forward Iheanacho stepped up and calmly converted, setting up a dramatic finale to the season.

“Sometimes you need things to drop for you if you're going to win titles, especially with how far we've come from since late December to still be in it, now with it all in your own hands,” said Celtic captain Callum McGregor.

“We deserve to take it to the last day.”

Rangers’ slump continued as a 2-1 home loss to Hibernian at Ibrox marked a fourth straight league defeat for the third-placed side, their worst run since 1983.