The tears from Celtic winning yet another title have been a joy to watch.
No more so than those in the English media, who by their own admission, ‘don’t watch a lot of Scottish football’, but are still experts in this field.
That’s what Alan Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast when discussing Celtic winning the title ahead of Hearts, and those scenes against Motherwell last Wednesday night.
The call to award Celtic a penalty at Fir Park caused utter chaos across the footballing world, with Gary Lineker stating it was ‘so wrong’, and how it ‘probably cost Hearts the title.’
No, Gary, Derek McInnes’ side not being able to beat one of the worst Celtic sides in recent memory cost them the title, not a penalty at Fir Park, nonetheless, these were some of their comments.
Shearer: “People’s livelihoods are on the line here, by the way. People haven’t seen their club win a trophy, perhaps ever.
“Yet that title up in Scotland was decided by that decision. I am not even involved in it, and I don’t watch a lot of Scottish football, but clearly, this season, it has been really interesting because of what Hearts have done.
“For that decision to go for Celtic, as it did. No, I don’t accept it.”
Lineker: “We have no skin in the game. But you just look at it and think, that was wrong. I mean, it was so wrong.”
Thoughts on the Celtic Park statement by Hearts?
Did they go too far or was it completely justified? Let us know in the comments what you think. Where you at Celtic Park? 👇
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer think Celtic penalty cost Hearts the title
Celtic have been a mess all season long. From Brendan Rodgers’ broken relationship with the board, before being booted out in October.
The nightmare Wilfried Nancy spell, constant fan protests, board members leaving, cancelled AGMs, and more club statements than actual good performances on the pitch.
Hearts, who were top for most of the season, had ample time to widen the gap between themselves and the champions of Scotland.
Instead, they left the door open during these post-split fixtures, and Daizen Maeda ran through everyone, including the final dagger to Hearts.
Nonetheless, this was the conversation between Lineker and Shearer, regarding Celtic winning title number 56.
Lineker: “The handball law is a bit of an a_s, we know that, at the moment. I was going to do this at the end, but I will do it now.
“Did you see that one that probably cost Hearts the title?”
Shearer: “Yes, I did.”
Lineker: “I was watching that game. It actually got me quite cross watching that. I just thought that whole season was decided. You could say the same about the decision in the Arsenal (against West Ham United) game, in the last minute as well.
“But the one that went against Hearts, I thought it was extraordinary. He quite clearly headed it. If that had hit his hand, there is no way it would have travelled the 20-odd yards that it did. It’s almost as if they need to be part of it.”
Shearer: “People’s livelihoods are on the line here, by the way. People haven’t seen their club win a trophy, perhaps ever.
“Yet that title up in Scotland was decided by that decision. I am not even involved in it, and I don’t watch a lot of Scottish football, but clearly, this season, it has been really interesting because of what Hearts have done.
“For that decision to go for Celtic, as it did. No, I don’t accept it. I am not a Hearts fan, so I can imagine how angry they are up there.”
Lineker: “We have no skin in the game. But you just look at it and think, that was wrong. I mean, it was so wrong.”
Shearer: “So wrong.”
Lineker: “Then Celtic beat them right at the end, and if that scoreline had been the case and that hadn’t been given, they would have won the league.
“The problem is, it’s all alright, the referees sticking to the rules, this and that. But they are also the people who are now making the rules in football, the referees. I don’t think that’s helpful at all.
“The handball law needs to be completely simplified. Back to what it was, I would say.”
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