Motherwell vs Celtic: Keith Hackett shares his thoughts on the Callum Slattery penalty call after Callum McGregor’s involvement

Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has backed referee John Beaton’s decision not to award Motherwell a penalty during their crucial Scottish Premiership clash against Celtic on Wednesday evening.

The controversial moment arrived in the second half when Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery went to ground inside the Celtic penalty area while attempting to drive past captain Callum McGregor. Home supporters immediately appealed for a spot kick, and several Motherwell players surrounded Beaton in an effort to persuade him that a foul had been committed.

However, the referee was unmoved and allowed play to continue, judging that no offence had taken place. The decision became one of the most debated incidents of the evening, especially given the dramatic events that unfolded later in the match.

Hackett, who previously served as head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has now reviewed the footage and believes Beaton made the correct call by refusing Motherwell’s penalty claims.

Callum Slattery Incident Sparks Debate

The incident occurred in the 55th minute with the match finely balanced. Slattery carried the ball into the Celtic penalty area and appeared to lose his footing while under pressure from McGregor.

From the stands and on first viewing, many believed the Celtic skipper may have clipped the Motherwell player. Replays, however, suggested that Slattery slipped as he attempted to change direction before any significant contact took place.

Despite the protests from Motherwell players, Beaton remained confident in his judgment and quickly waved away the appeals.

The decision became a major talking point among supporters and pundits alike, particularly because of the significance of the fixture in the title race and European qualification battle.

Hackett Explains Why the Penalty Was Not Awarded

After reviewing the footage, Hackett stated that there was enough uncertainty surrounding the incident to justify Beaton’s decision.

Speaking about the challenge, the former referee explained that the attacking player appeared to lose balance while attempting a quick change of direction.

According to Hackett, the available footage showed signs that Slattery slipped before any meaningful challenge from McGregor could have caused him to fall.

Because of that sequence of events, Hackett believes there was insufficient evidence to award a penalty kick.

He pointed out that while some contact eventually occurred between the two players, it came after the Motherwell midfielder had already lost his footing.

In his view, the referee was correct to dismiss the appeals and allow the game to continue.

Slattery’s Reputation Adds Another Layer

The debate surrounding the incident has also been influenced by Slattery’s previous disciplinary history.

Earlier in the season, the Motherwell midfielder received a retrospective four-match suspension for simulation following a separate incident.

Although Hackett was careful not to accuse the player of diving in this particular situation, that previous ban has inevitably led some observers to scrutinise similar incidents involving him more closely.

Hackett stressed that this latest episode should not be viewed as an attempt to deceive the referee. Instead, he believes it was simply a case of a player losing his footing while trying to evade an opponent.

For that reason, he felt Beaton’s judgment was both reasonable and consistent with the laws of the game.

Celtic’s Late Winner Changes the Narrative

While the Slattery incident generated discussion, it was eventually overshadowed by a dramatic and highly controversial moment deep into stoppage time.

With the match level, Celtic were awarded a penalty after substitute Sam Nicholson was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.

The decision followed a lengthy VAR review and immediately sparked widespread debate across Scottish football.

Celtic striker Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up and converted the spot kick, securing a dramatic victory for the visitors.

The result proved hugely significant in the title race, setting up a decisive showdown between Celtic and league leaders Hearts at Parkhead on the final day of the season.

Hackett Revisits His Original Opinion on Celtic’s Penalty

Interestingly, Hackett revealed that his opinion on Celtic’s late penalty has changed after taking a closer look at the footage.

Initially, he believed the award was justified because Nicholson’s arm appeared to be positioned unnaturally.

However, after reviewing the incident again on a larger screen and examining the available angles more carefully, he reached a different conclusion.

Hackett admitted that he could not see clear evidence showing the ball actually struck Nicholson’s hand.

The former official explained that while the defender’s arm position initially raised suspicions, the available footage did not conclusively prove contact between the ball and the arm.

As a result, he no longer believes the penalty should have been awarded.

Questions Over Handball Evidence

One of Hackett’s main concerns centred on the lack of definitive proof that a handball had occurred.

According to him, the footage appeared to show Nicholson attempting to clear the ball with his head.

Despite repeated replays, Hackett argued that there was no unmistakable evidence demonstrating contact with the hand or arm.

In situations of this nature, referees and VAR officials are expected to rely on clear and convincing evidence before overturning or making crucial decisions.

Hackett feels that threshold was not met on this occasion.

Because the evidence remained inconclusive, he believes the original decision should have been to allow play to continue rather than award a penalty.

Contact Sport Argument

Hackett also addressed suggestions that Nicholson’s arm position or contact with Celtic players contributed to the penalty decision.

He emphasised that football remains a contact sport and that physical challenges are a natural part of the game.

After analysing the footage, he stated that he did not see any significant push or movement that unfairly affected a Celtic player.

Without a clear foul or obvious handball offence, Hackett concluded that the penalty award was incorrect.

His revised verdict contrasts with his initial reaction but reflects what he believes is a more accurate assessment after detailed review.

Controversy Continues Ahead of Final Day

The differing opinions surrounding both incidents have ensured that the debate remains intense across Scottish football.

While Hackett supports Beaton’s decision not to award Motherwell a penalty for the Slattery challenge, he now believes the late spot kick given to Celtic should never have been awarded.

Those decisions ultimately had a major impact on the Premiership title race, with Celtic’s dramatic victory ensuring that the championship would be decided in a final-day showdown against Hearts.

As discussions continue among supporters, pundits and former officials, the controversy surrounding the Fir Park encounter is likely to remain one of the defining talking points of the season.