Martin O'Neill has not been suprised by the massive fallout to Celtic's penalty against Motherwell - because everybody wants Hearts to beat them to the title.
Much has been made of the award of the spot kick from which Kelechi Iheanacho scored a last gasp winner to keep Celtic's title hopes alive and kicking.
Different angles of footage has been shared and those of a Celtic persuasion are admant it proves the decision correct, while others are adamant it shows the opposite.
For O'Neill it was a definite penalty under the current rules but he does admit those need looked at over the summer to clear up a few grey areas.
He said: "It’s obviously been magnified because of the occasion as much as anything else. I think it’s a penalty. I think he’s handled the ball. He’s also got his arm around his neck as well, but that’s beside the point.
Read more
Derek McInnes challenges 'special' Hearts to 'rip up the script' against Celtic
Police: 'Celtic failed to plan for fan celebrations ahead of Hearts showdown'
"When you see it again properly, it is a penalty. In the wider scheme of things, everybody should be looking at this throughout Europe. We’ve seen penalties given when we all think that would never have happened years ago. It looks very harsh.
"This should be a major point of discussion in the summer time to have a look again to see what they’re doing. Sometimes in European football, it’s a bit different to ours. It shouldn't be, it should be uniform and straightforward.
"This accidental handball, hands in unnatural positions, people being pushed into situations - all of that has to be looked at. But as the rules stand at this minute, that was a penalty."
Asjed if he has been surprised to see the volume of chat around the decision, he added: "Am I surprised? No, I’m not surprised because everybody wants Hearts to win. Everybody outside Celtic and the Celtic diaspora wants Hearts to win. If it wasn't Hearts, it would be Rangers or somebody else. That's the nature of it."
Share