Scottish Premiership: Cvancara and VAR controversy helps Celtic win to put pressure on Hearts

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Tomas Cvancara converted another crucial penalty as a major intervention by the video assistant referee helped second-placed Celtic come from behind to beat Motherwell 3-1. The Czech striker followed up his Scottish Cup penalty shootout winner at Ibrox with Celtic’s second goal in the 72nd minute after Emmanuel Longelo had been dismissed for a challenge on Daizen Maeda.

The referee, John Beaton, had initially given a goal-kick, but a lengthy look at the VAR monitor at the behest of Kevin Clancy changed the complexion of the game.

Both sides had scored in the first half courtesy of some high pressing, Motherwell through Elijah Just. Yang Hyun-jun quickly levelled and the winger rounded off the scoring as the 10 men took risks.

Martin O'Neill directs his Celtic players

Celtic moved within two points of Hearts, who visit Kilmarnock on Saturday night. On Sunday, third-placed Rangers – now four points behind Celtic – are at St Mirren in a noon kick-off, followed by the Dundee derby at Dens Park.

Hibernian struck the woodwork twice as they were left frustrated in a goalless draw with the bottom club, Livingston. The Leith side closed the gap on fourth-placed Motherwell to six points, but will be disappointed the deficit was not smaller before next weekend’s trip to Fir Park.

Hibs dominated possession of the ball and Jamie McGrath hit the frame of the goal either side of the break. The substitute Josh Campbell was also guilty of wasting a good opportunity in the second half.

It was a fourth straight draw for the Lions, who survived a late VAR penalty drama. Lloyd Wilson pointed for a Hibs penalty and then overturned his decision after a review, with Mo Sylla winning the ball in a tackle with Martin Boyle. Livingston remain without a league win since August.

A late Falkirk leveller denied Stephen Robinson victory in his first match as Aberdeen head coach as Barney Stewart’s goal cancelled out Kevin Nisbet’s opener. Robinson was appointed on Thursday, nine and a half weeks after Jimmy Thelin’s departure.

Aberdeen took the lead after 73 minutes. The Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain took a poor touch from Leon McCann’s back-pass, allowing Nisbet to block his clearance before the striker nodded home from close range for his ninth goal of the season.

It looked like that would prove the winner for the Dons but Stewart rose in the centre of the penalty area to head home a cross from Ethan Ross a minute from time to earn a share of the points.