Celtic Stumbles in Controversial Defeat to Hearts, Rangers Also Shocked

Celtic suffered a controversial 2-0 defeat against Hearts hindering their chance to reclaim the top spot from Rangers in the Scottish title race. Manager Brendan Rodgers criticized the officiating particularly VAR decisions leading to a red card and a penalty.

Despite Celtic missed penalty and Lawrence Shankland disallowed goal, Hearts secured victory. The defeat, coupled with Rangers surprise loss to Motherwell marked the first time both Old Firm teams lost in the same weekend since February 2018.

Hearts’ Shankland with 28 goals this season, impressed amid speculation about his future. Rodgers lamented poor officiating while Hearts coach Steven Naismith deemed penalties “soft.” The loss was Celtic first league defeat since December.