Kelechi Iheanacho produced a moment of high drama in stoppage time as he converted a 98th-minute penalty to hand Celtic a thrilling 3–2 victory over Motherwell on Wednesday night, keeping their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive in spectacular fashion.
The Nigerian forward stepped up in the dying seconds after a VAR review led referee John Beaton to penalise a handball by Sam Nicholson inside the box. Showing calm under extreme pressure, Iheanacho struck confidently from 12 yards, sending the ball past the goalkeeper to secure what could prove to be one of Celtic’s most important wins of the season.
The decisive goal came moments after a chaotic finish to the match, with Celtic having earlier surrendered a 2–1 lead and looked set to drop crucial points away from home. However, the late penalty decision gave them one final opportunity—and they made it count.
At the final whistle, emotions boiled over as Celtic supporters flooded the pitch in celebration, turning Fir Park into a scene of wild jubilation following a fiercely contested and emotionally charged encounter.
The result tightens the title race dramatically, with Celtic moving to within a single point of league leaders Hearts ahead of the final round of fixtures. Hearts remain top after a convincing 3–0 win over Falkirk, but the championship is now set for a tense final-day showdown, with everything still to play for.
If Celtic win their last match, they could still clinch a record-extending 56th league title, adding further intensity to an already gripping season.
The campaign has also been marked by managerial instability at Celtic. Martin O’Neill initially returned to steady the team after Brendan Rodgers’ departure in October. A brief spell under Wilfried Nancy followed, but inconsistent results saw O’Neill reinstated in January, a move that has helped restore momentum and push the club back into title contention.
Iheanacho’s decisive contribution further cements his growing importance in the squad during this crucial stage of the season, with the striker once again delivering when it mattered most.
