Mike Dean slams referee and VAR after obvious cheating moment against Hearts as Celtic handed Scottish champion in controversial win

Mike Dean slams referee and VAR after obvious cheating moment against Hearts as Celtic handed Scottish champion in controversial win

Mike Dean Slams Referee and VAR After ‘Obvious Cheating’ in Celtic’s Controversial Title Win Over Hearts

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has launched a scathing attack on the match officials and VAR following Celtic’s dramatic 3–1 victory over Hearts at Celtic Park—a result that handed the Scottish Premiership title to Celtic on a tense final day.

Celtic snatched the title from Hearts with dramatic late goals in a final-day shootout. Derek McInnes and his team were just minutes away from becoming Scottish champions for the first time in more than 60 years before suffering late heartbreak.

Hearts, denied a first Scottish title since 1960 in devastating fashion, watched as Celtic struck in the 87th minute before adding another in stoppage time to claim the trophy.

The latest—and perhaps most controversial—chapter of an enthralling SPL season was written midweek when a 99th-minute VAR-awarded penalty kept Celtic in touch with Hearts, setting up this mouthwatering final-day showdown. That controversy was later overshadowed by Daizen Maeda’s late intervention, even though his goal was initially ruled offside.

McInnes and his team, who had defied expectations all season, knew they would have to survive an early onslaught inside the Celtic Park cauldron. The assignment was simple: avoid defeat and secure a first domestic title since 1960.

The first half was nearly perfect for the visitors, as they kept Celtic at arm’s length and frustrated the hostile home crowd. But the game exploded into life in the final minutes of the half. Hearts fans were given a tantalizing taste of what could be when captain Lawrence Shankland broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, lurking at the back post to convert a floated corner.

Unfortunately for those in maroon, the champagne was hastily put back on ice just six minutes later, when Alexandros Kyziridis was penalized for handball inside the penalty area, gifting Celtic a lifeline. Arne Engels took that lifeline, though his penalty only just squeezed underneath the despairing dive of Alexander Schwolow. Engels’ spot-kick was a sobering moment, but the assignment hadn’t changed for Hearts, who remained in the driver’s seat to cap a fairytale campaign with the title.

Dean’s Verdict: ‘That’s Not Marginal—It’s Cheating’

The controversy erupted when Celtic were awarded a crucial goal despite what appeared to be a clear offside position. Replays showed the player well beyond the last defender, yet VAR intervened to overrule the assistant referee’s flag, allowing the goal to stand and swinging the momentum decisively in Celtic’s favor.

Speaking post-match, Dean did not hold back: “It’s blatant. That’s not a marginal call—it’s cheating. The linesman got it right initially, and VAR has no business flipping something this obvious. Shame on the referee and the whole system for robbing the game of integrity.”

The decision sparked fury among Hearts fans and neutrals, with many accusing officials of tilting the title race. Celtic fought back from behind to claim the three points and the championship, but the VAR drama overshadowed the occasion. Dean added that such errors highlight why trust in VAR remains at rock bottom.

Match Action and Aftermath

Celtic grew frantic after the break as they searched in vain for the goal that would flip the two teams in the table. Engels went close with a late free-kick. Kelechi Iheanacho, a half-time substitute, went even closer with a shot that cracked back off the post.

The final ten minutes saw the Hearts goal laid siege to. Time and again Celtic came close as the pressure mounted. But just when it seemed Schwolow and the Hearts defense would hold firm, Maeda launched a dagger straight into maroon hearts.

As Hearts desperately chased the equalizer they needed to conjure one final grand twist, Schwolow went up for a last-gasp corner—only for Celtic to break away and score a killer third through Callum Osmand.

Unsavory scenes followed as jubilant home fans stormed the pitch to celebrate, leading to players being escorted off. After a few moments of confusion, time was called on a frenetic finale.

Hearts were left to grieve, having come agonizingly close to ending Glasgow’s monopoly—almost becoming the first team outside Scotland’s most potent footballing city to win the SPL since 1985. For Celtic and their legendary manager Martin O’Neill, another league title is in the books. And this one will live long in the memory.