Sparrow focuses on Euro decider after VAR controversy

Tom Sparrow is ready to seize Motherwell's chance of European football after shaking off his disbelief over the VAR controversy that denied them a point against Celtic.

Well were heading for a fourth-place finish as they went into stoppage time drawing 2-2 with Martin O'Neill's side.

However, their anger over Kelechi Iheanacho's 99th-minute penalty – following a controversial handball call against Sam Nicholson – was compounded by Hibs' last-gasp winner at Ibrox.

With David Gray's men now a point behind in fifth, it sets up a winner-takes-all encounter at Easter Road on Saturday.

Reacting to John Beaton's penalty award, midfielder Sparrow said: "I just can't understand how he gives it. I think you can see he heads it.

"I challenge anyone to be able to punch the ball 20 yards out of play. His arm's obviously forced up from [Auston] Trusty in front of him.

"I've had multiple messages saying they can't believe it's given. You go on Twitter and there's people like Gary Lineker saying it's the worst he's ever seen.

"That obviously doesn't reflect well on the league when it's been a brilliant season for Scottish football.

"But we've said, after everyone's calmed down, that you'd take one game to get into Europe when we started."

Although the penalty could have a seismic impact in terms of the title, the more damaging late development for the Steelmen was Dane Scarlett's Hibs winner.

Motherwell would have needed a draw with or without a point against the champions.

"It's another thing we said in there, that obviously it doesn't matter," Sparrow said.

"I think it was more just the performance we had and thought we deserved something from the game itself, but it doesn't change what we've got to do going forward.

"There was a good response after the disappointment, so I'm sure we'll be ready for Saturday."