Celtic v Hearts: Penalty pandemonium produced a show for the ages.

Five minutes left and it was all Motherwell. One shot blocked, another shot saved, on the rebound – a goal. When the news reached Tynecastle it was as if Hearts had scored themselves.

So you were. Celtic need to win again by three clear goals. Hearts took a 3-0 lead through Belair Spital. Professional and clinical. They didn’t feel the heat. Everything was coming up.

Only, it wasn’t. The late penalty sparked pandemonium. In stoppage time, Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson, with his arm in the air, rose above the Auston faithful.

Then a sight that would send chills down the spine of every fan’s heart – Judge John Beaton was dead with his finger in his ear. VAR online.

As Beaton walked back from the umpire to the venue with overwhelming evidence of guilt, a voice went up on the radio from Motherwell’s fans: “Game over.”

The Scottish FA went back and forth to defend the call.

That decision can still have a huge impact on the title’s destination. We may not have heard the last of it. Future generations can solve this problem.

Jens Bertel, manager of Motherwell, was horrified by the situation and said that Ask would not have been given in another world. It cost him a league point and he was furious.

An outraged McInnes said it was a “disgusting” decision that made him “oppose everyone”. It might cost more hearts than it costs Motherwell.

Social media is on fire. Gary Linker was watching and couldn’t help it. He was not alone.

That’s the second big call on Hearts in a week. They were denied a late penalty against Motherwell on Saturday; One point can be three. McInnes said his team needed a siege mentality to deal with… well, he missed the spelling but you get the drift.

O’Neill then spoke about the character of the players and their ability to dig themselves out of trouble, a trait that could be enough to see them retain their trophy. They are not a forceful group but they have spirit and motivation. Saturday can, and should, be a classic.

McInnes tried to measure up but Dam broke down a bit when he spoke about the decisions that went against his club. He was proud but angry.

“Am I missing something?” He asked why it shouldn’t be a penalty for Celtic. The depression on his face was obvious.