Ryan Stevenson is furious at the penalty awarded to Celtic against Motherwell.
Despite the nail-biting drama of Celtic’s win at Fir Park, the conversation has been dominated by VAR’s decision to award a late penalty for a handball by Sam Nicholson.
To say that the reaction to the decision has been significant would be an understatement. The call has tipped the balance back in the Hoops’ favour when the trophy seemed to be all-but destined for Tynecastle.
Ryan Stevenson, working on the game as a Hearts-tinted pundit, was immensely angry at the decision.
Who was your Celtic MOTM vs Motherwell?
Ryan Stevenson: Celtic penalty call vs Motherwell ‘garbage’
Speaking on BBC Sportsound immediately after the game, Stevenson said: “We were just about to go and nick it, Tom.
“And then it’s ruined…
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“Oh, it’s a disgrace. Honestly, we’ll go into the West Ham-Arsenal game… and everybody understands, I dislike VAR. Other people do.
“But to understand how big a decision that is, the severity of the decision… and I think… what did he take? Was it five or six minutes to make that decision?
“Because everyone understood how big a decision that was. He was at the camera for… 20 seconds? Ugh… no chance.
“I’m going to try and say, because people think that I’m speaking from a Hearts perspective because of the way it’s unfolding. And the sort of anger…
“I’m genuinely saying it from a neutral position: that is absolute garbage. The game… that is not a penalty, come on.”
Stevenson’s beloved Hearts will now need to avoid defeat at Celtic Park on the final day in a title-deciding day of destiny.
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