Kelechi Iheanacho nets dramatic penalty winner as Celtic set up title decider

Kelechi Iheanacho scored a VAR-assisted penalty winner nine minutes into stoppage time to boost Celtic’s William Hill Premiership defence thanks to a 3-2 comeback win at Motherwell, as the most dramatic title race in decades took another sensational twist.

Iheanacho slotted a spot-kick as former Hearts midfielder Sam Nicholson was penalised for handball after jumping to head the ball away.

The ball appeared to hit his raised hand right in front of his head.

Another former Hearts player, Liam Gordon, had appeared to hand his old club a massive advantage in the title race after netting an 85th-minute equaliser.

Celtic were heading into a title decider needing to beat the Jambos by three goals and they did not look like getting a winner until referee John Beaton was called to the monitor by video assistant Andrew Dallas as five minutes of stoppage-time were coming to a close.

Beaton pointed to the spot and Iheanacho kept his cool to seal victory and spark a pitch invasion from the visiting fans.

Motherwell had been heading into Europe moments earlier but the penalty drama was compounded by Hibernian’s late winner at Ibrox and they will now need to avoid defeat at Easter Road on Saturday to secure fourth.

The victory means Celtic now face a simple equation on Saturday – they will win the title if they beat Hearts.

Martin O’Neill’s previous trip to Fir Park as Celtic manager saw his side lose the title in the closing stages of the 2004-05 season when Scott McDonald’s late double handed Rangers the glory.

He looked set for more anguish in Lanarkshire as Motherwell, wearing their original blue colours to mark their 140th anniversary, dominated the opening stages.

Elliot Watt volleyed them ahead from 22 yards in the 17th minute