Referee explains Hearts penalty controversy at Motherwell as Derek McInnes delivers injury update on Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes revealed the explanation given by referee Steven McLean after the officials decided against awarding his side a second-half penalty during the 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park.

The result came ahead of Celtic and Rangers’ crucial fixtures on Sunday, but much of the post-match discussion centred around the controversial penalty incident and fresh injury concerns involving Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard.

Motherwell had initially taken the lead through a Stephen Kingsley own goal before Lawrence Shankland restored parity before half-time with another important strike for Hearts.

However, the biggest talking point arrived midway through the second half when Kyziridis appeared to have his foot clipped inside the penalty area by Tawanda Maswanhise.

Despite the incident being checked by VAR and referee Steven McLean being instructed to review the footage on the pitchside monitor, no penalty was awarded to Hearts.

McInnes reveals referee’s explanation

Following the match, McInnes admitted he was deeply frustrated by the decision and spoke directly to referee McLean in an attempt to understand why Hearts were denied what he believed was a clear penalty.

According to the Hearts manager, the official acknowledged there had been contact but did not believe it was enough to justify awarding a spot-kick.

“He said there was contact but not enough contact,” explained McInnes after the final whistle.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou supported the referee’s verdict, although he did concede that contact had been made inside the box.

The Danish coach suggested that Kyziridis exaggerated the challenge, insisting it was not sufficient to send him crashing to the turf.

“There was contact,” said Askou. “But not enough to drop yourself to the ground like that and make it look like the worst tackle in football history.”

Hearts boss adamant it should have been a penalty

McInnes, however, was unwavering in his belief that Hearts should have been awarded the penalty.

The Hearts manager insisted he had reviewed the footage multiple times after the game and remained convinced the challenge warranted a spot-kick.

“Yeah, I’m adamant it is a penalty,” McInnes stated.

“I thought it was one at the time and I’ve seen it again since.”

He also praised VAR official Greg Aitken for intervening and recommending an on-field review, believing that part of the process had been handled correctly.

“Greg Aitken has actually done his job really well tonight,” he continued.

“He’s done exactly what VAR is there for and brought the referee over to the monitor.”

Despite that, McInnes admitted he was stunned that the decision still went against Hearts after the review.

“We were shocked because we’ve only got the one monitor to look at it a few times, but it was always the same angle,” he explained.

“I’ve now seen the Sky Sports angles as well and I still don’t understand the decision.”

McInnes questions referee’s performance

The Hearts boss did not stop at criticising the penalty decision itself and went further by suggesting referee Steven McLean had struggled throughout the match.

According to McInnes, the official never appeared fully comfortable or in control of proceedings at Fir Park.

“I thought the referee had a poor night tonight,” he admitted.

“We all have poor nights. I’ve had plenty myself, but I just didn’t think he looked settled during the game.”

McInnes again emphasised the importance of the penalty moment, believing it could have completely altered the outcome of the contest.

“That incident was huge,” he said.

“I felt the VAR bringing him over to the monitor was absolutely the right thing to do, and I still believe it should have resulted in a penalty kick.”

Hearts determined to move on quickly

Although disappointed by the officiating, McInnes made it clear he did not want his side dwelling on the incident for too long.

The Hearts boss praised the mentality of his players and their determination to keep pushing for victory despite setbacks during the game.

“You want me to be really angry?” he said.

“I’m disappointed in the decision, but it’s done now and we’ve got to move on from it.”

He reflected on the wider context surrounding controversial officiating decisions involving Hearts in recent weeks, including debate over a previous penalty incident against Motherwell at Tynecastle.

“A lot was made about the Landry penalty against Motherwell earlier in the season,” McInnes explained.

“There was plenty of debate around that too.”

He also referenced comments made before last week’s clash with Rangers regarding the need for strong officiating against Hearts.

“When you get to this stage of the season, every decision becomes massive,” he added.

“Every team selection and every performance is pivotal.”

McInnes praises Hearts spirit

Despite the frustration surrounding the penalty controversy, McInnes found encouragement in the way Hearts responded throughout the game.

The manager highlighted the resilience shown by his side after falling behind and also acknowledged the quality of Motherwell as opponents.

“This is a really difficult place to come,” he said.

“You can see why Motherwell have had so much praise this season because they’re a very good side and they’re well coached.”

At the same time, McInnes believed Hearts demonstrated exactly why they remain in a strong position themselves.

“You can also see why we are where we are,” he continued.

“The fight, the spirit and the character in the team were there again.”

The Hearts manager pointed out that his side were forced to cope with injuries and tactical reshuffles during the match but still kept trying to find a winner.

“Despite losing two key players and having to patch things up a bit in midfield, the players kept going and kept trying to win the game.”

Fresh injury blow for Hearts

Unfortunately for Hearts, the evening also brought devastating injury news involving Marc Leonard and Craig Halkett.

Both players were forced off during the match and McInnes later confirmed the pair had suffered serious Achilles injuries.

According to the Hearts boss, the injuries are expected to keep both players sidelined for a lengthy period.

“Both are Achilles injuries,” McInnes confirmed.

“Both are significant injuries and I think they’ll be out for quite a while.”

The Hearts manager admitted the situation was especially shocking given how rare Achilles injuries can be within a squad.

“Both players were leaving on crutches,” he explained.

“In all my years managing, I’ve only had one player suffer an Achilles injury before.”

“That was Marvin Elliott at Bristol City, and now we’ve had two in the same game, which is unbelievable really.”

Leonard and Halkett praised for their contributions

McInnes also paid tribute to both Leonard and Halkett for the impact they have had this season.

The Hearts boss acknowledged how important the duo have been during the campaign and admitted their absence would be difficult to overcome during the final matches.

“Both have been brilliant for us this season,” he said.

“We’re going to have to cope without them now for the final couple of games.”

McInnes added that seeing several injured players sitting in the stand highlighted the extent of Hearts’ injury problems.

“When you look at the players we already have missing, it’s frustrating,” he admitted.

“That group alone would probably qualify for Europe.”

Positive return for Cammy Devlin

There was at least one positive fitness update for Hearts as Cammy Devlin returned from injury to make a late substitute appearance.

McInnes revealed the midfielder had originally only been expected to play a brief cameo role.

“Cammy was probably only meant to get 10 or 15 minutes,” he explained.

“But once Marc Leonard came off, we had to adjust things a bit.”

The Hearts manager also praised Kyziridis for his contribution after entering the game from the bench.

“He was brave when he came on,” McInnes said.

“We wanted him to attack from wide positions and I thought he did that well.”

Ultimately, Hearts left Fir Park frustrated by the officiating and concerned about injuries, but McInnes remained proud of the effort and determination shown by his side in difficult circumstances.

Hearts face setback as key “instrumental” player nears departure amid Celtic interest

Celtic have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Marc Leonard ahead of the summer transfer window, with the midfielder now emerging as one of the club’s leading targets as his loan spell with Heart of Midlothian nears its conclusion.

Leonard has spent the season on loan from Birmingham City and has become one of the standout performers in the Scottish Premiership during the second half of the campaign. His impressive displays have now caught the attention of Celtic, who appear determined to strengthen their squad regardless of how the title race unfolds over the closing weeks of the season.

Leonard Climbs High on Celtic’s Summer Wishlist

The Hoops are already preparing for a busy transfer window and seem intent on strengthening key positions in Brendan Rodgers’ squad. One approach that could frustrate their domestic rivals is the possibility of targeting players who have excelled elsewhere in Scotland, and Leonard has quickly become one of the names at the top of their shortlist.

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, Celtic’s admiration for the midfielder has been building for some time, even before his move to Hearts. His performances in Edinburgh have only reinforced the belief that he could thrive at Parkhead.

Leonard is due to return to Birmingham City at the end of the season after completing his temporary spell with Hearts, but uncertainty remains over what role he will play under the Championship club moving forward. That uncertainty could provide Celtic with an opportunity to strike.

For Hearts, the development is a major concern. The Edinburgh side may have hoped to negotiate a permanent transfer for Leonard after the impact he has made during his loan stay, but Celtic’s growing interest could make that task extremely difficult.

Hearts Face Huge Blow as Leonard Impresses in Midfield

Leonard has become a hugely influential figure for Hearts over recent months, producing a series of composed and energetic displays in midfield. His performances have helped stabilise the side during crucial stages of the campaign and made him one of the first names on the team sheet.

Speaking about the midfielder’s rise this season, O’Rourke explained just how highly Leonard is now rated within Scottish football circles.

He said: “He’s a player that’s impressed a great deal up in Scotland this season, he’s been instrumental for Hearts.

“He’s been right up there as one of their most important players in the second half of the season, and he’s a player Celtic will be fully aware of. Even before his move to Hearts, he’s a player who has been on their radar for a while.

“He’s under contract still at Birmingham for another two years so we don’t know what Birmingham’s plans are for Marc Leonard. I’m sure he’s a player that Celtic are looking at, but again, I think there’ll be a lot of competition for his signature if Birmingham are willing to let him move on.”

That assessment highlights the growing belief that Leonard is ready to make the step up to a club competing for trophies and European football on a regular basis.

Celtic Could View Leonard as Long-Term McGregor Successor

One of the most intriguing aspects of Celtic’s reported interest is the possibility that the club see Leonard as a long-term replacement for captain Callum McGregor.

McGregor remains one of the most important figures at Celtic Park, but his current contract is scheduled to expire in 2028. While there is no immediate rush to replace the experienced midfielder, planning for the future is clearly part of Celtic’s thinking.

Leonard’s performances this season suggest he possesses several qualities that could eventually allow him to step into a similar role.

Scottish Premiership 2025/26 Per-90 Comparison

Marc Leonard

• Minutes played: 1,079
• Tackles: 4.2
• Duel success: 52.8%
• Recoveries: 6.57
• Goals: 0

Callum McGregor

• Minutes played: 2,927
• Tackles: 1.57
• Duel success: 54%
• Recoveries: 6.18
• Goals: 0.06

The statistics show that Leonard has excelled particularly in defensive areas, outperforming McGregor in tackles and recoveries per 90 minutes. His energy without the ball and willingness to break up opposition attacks have been major strengths throughout the season.

While McGregor remains the more experienced and complete midfielder, Leonard’s numbers suggest that Hearts have helped develop a player capable of operating at a very high level in Scottish football.

Competition Expected for Leonard Signature

Although Celtic appear strongly interested, they may not have a clear run at securing Leonard’s signature this summer. His performances have reportedly attracted attention from multiple clubs, and Birmingham City still hold control over his future due to his existing contract.

With two years remaining on his deal at St Andrew’s, Birmingham are under no immediate pressure to sell. Much may depend on whether the Championship side view Leonard as part of their long-term plans or decide to cash in while his stock is rising.

For Hearts supporters, there will still be hope that the midfielder’s positive experience in Edinburgh could persuade him to return permanently. However, competing financially and competitively with Celtic would be an enormous challenge.

The attraction of Champions League football, domestic title races, and regular trophy opportunities could ultimately give Celtic a decisive advantage if they formally enter negotiations.

Leonard Faces Defining Summer Decision

At 24 years old, Leonard is entering what many consider the prime years of a midfielder’s career. This summer could therefore prove crucial in shaping the next stage of his development.

Remaining at Hearts would likely guarantee him a central role and continued importance within the side, but a move to Celtic would present the opportunity to compete at the highest level in Scotland while also testing himself in Europe.

The midfielder’s progress over the past year has transformed him from a promising loan signing into one of the most talked-about players in the Scottish Premiership. Now, with Celtic pushing hardest for his signature, Hearts risk losing one of their standout performers to a direct rival.

Should the move happen, it would not only strengthen Celtic’s midfield options but also represent a painful setback for Hearts after helping nurture Leonard into one of the league’s most effective midfielders this season.