NafisaKris Boyd completely ran out of patience after Celtic’s stoppage-time winner against Motherwell, with the former Rangers striker unleashing a furious rant over the penalty decision that now sends the Premiership title race to Celtic Park.
Celtic looked destined to leave Fir Park needing a miracle on goal difference after Liam Gordon made it 2-2 late on.
Instead, Auston Trusty remained alert inside the box deep into stoppage time and sparked chaos in the Motherwell defence. Sam Nicholson handled the ball while contesting with the Celtic defender before Kelechi Iheanacho coolly converted the penalty in the 98th minute.
The decision itself appeared relatively clear once replay angles were slowed down.
Nicholson’s arm was raised against Trusty while the ball visibly changed direction inside the box. There was also contact on the Celtic defender as he attacked the loose ball. VAR reviewed the incident and John Beaton immediately pointed to the spot.
Boyd simply could not accept it.
Throughout the live broadcast, he repeatedly insisted the flight of the ball proved it could not have struck Nicholson’s hand first. He also brought earlier title-race incidents into the debate, including Alistair Johnston avoiding a red card against Rangers and Hearts being denied a penalty appeal against Motherwell involving Alexandros Kyziridis last weekend.
His irritation grew increasingly emotional as the discussion went on.
He said: (Sky Sports), “It’s three massive calls in the last three games.
“The penalty kick at Motherwell on Saturday night, the red card against Alistair Johnston Saturday and that there tonight is incredible.
“There’ll be serious questions asked about it and rightly so.
“If that hits his hand, that is dropping two, three yards in front of him.
“To go at the pace that it has, back out the way, there’s no way that has touched his hand.
“The Alistair Johnston red card on Saturday is incredible how that’s not been given.
“And then that there tonight is another dubious call that has went in Celtic’s favour.
“It is impossible, impossible to get that distance on a header like that if it’s hit your hand first.
“It’s impossible.
“There is no way that John Beaton can look at that and be 100% certain that’s hit his hand.
“You’re saying unnatural position. Yes, it’s up.
“But see as soon as his hand goes on top of Trusty’s shoulder. Where is he meant to put it?
“Where can his hand go?
“He has to jump for the ball.
“I mean, it’s an incredible decision.
“It’s actually getting to the stage that nobody’s actually surprised about it either.”
The reality is Celtic manufactured the moment.
Trusty attacked the second ball with aggression while Motherwell defenders hesitated under pressure inside their own area. Nicholson left his arm in an exposed position during the challenge, giving officials a decision to make.
What likely frustrated Boyd most was the timing.
At 2-2, Hearts appeared firmly in control of the title race after their win over Falkirk. Iheanacho’s penalty completely shifted the landscape in seconds and now leaves Celtic just one victory away from clinching the league on Saturday afternoon.
That is where attention now quickly turns.
Whatever Boyd’s stance on the decision, Celtic still had to endure a difficult evening at Fir Park, score three goals away from home under pressure and find yet another decisive moment when the title race seemed to be slipping away again.
Nafisa
