An extraordinary Scottish Premiership title race got a fittingly dramatic conclusion in Glasgow. Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand both scored late goals to snatch glory and a remarkable 3-1 victory for Celtic in an epic final-day decider, cruelly denying Hearts a first top-flight title since 1960 that would have seen them become the first club from outside of Scotland’s Old Firm rivalry to win it since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen side some 41 years ago.
Having brushed aside Falkirk in midweek, Derek McInnes’ men went into the day sitting top of the table by a point and would have been champions by avoiding defeat at Celtic Park. Captain Lawrence Shankland looked to have sent them on their way after powering in a close-range header from a corner as half-time approached, with a cagey and tense contest suddenly erupting into life as Arne Engels quickly levelled from the penalty spot after Alexandros Kyziridis handled Kieran Tierney’s cross inside the box.
Celtic knew following their massively controversial last-gasp victory at Motherwell on Wednesday that an eighth successive win by any scoreline would see them crowned again, though time looked to be running out as Kelechi Iheanacho struck the post before Maeda turned home an Osmand cross. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before being given following a VAR check, with Osmand then netting himself in the eighth minute of stoppage time after Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow had gone up for a free-kick, with Celtic’s third sparking a pitch invasion involving thousands of home fans. Follow Celtic vs Hearts reaction live below!
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“Wow, I don’t think I’ll have many better days than that – it was incredible,” he said.
“It was a massive pressure game. I could feel the tension – first half especially – but then once we got playing and got going, it felt like the goal was coming.
“But when you get to like five minutes left, I’m thinking ‘maybe this is one step too far’. Credit to the boys, though, they keep going, they never stop fighting.
“That’s why we’ve won the league, to be honest. It’s not really to do with football, it’s heart and desire and willingness to win and commitment to each other that has taken us over the line.
“We’ve taken so many knocks along the way. Normally we do things pretty well and by the time you get to this stage, it’s kind of a foregone conclusion.
“This time, it’s a cup final-type day where you have to win. But we managed to get over the line and what a special day it is for us.”
Martin O'Neill comments on Celtic future after title triumph
However, the 74-year-old Martin O’Neill also admitted that this season had “taken its toll” on him and confirmed that he expected next weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline at Hampden Park to be his final game in charge.
“I’ve just spoken to Dermot Desmond and he didn’t indicate otherwise,” said O’Neill. “I would imagine so.”
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“It’s surreal,” said O’Neill. “Last year I was here as a pundit. A year later to be here as manager is really really incredible. I genuinely can’t believe it. It’s like a dream.
“I never thought I would ever stand on a winner’s podium at this club again, not in a million years.
“Lifting the trophy was the best feeling in the world. There is nothing like that.
“We have been in front for eight or nine minutes. This group have been through a lot, a resignation, me coming in and leaving, another fella coming in and leaving. That is disturbing for a team.
“We have lots of things to put right but the fighting spirit in the camp is special. For all the tactics in the world, it is about heart.
“Great players can pick a pass, and it looks great, like the tactics are working a treat. We might not have that, so we have to show some heart.
“Hearts have been brilliant this year and it is a wake up call to Celtic and Rangers.
“They have been the story of the year. They were six or seven minutes from winning it and if they had they would have deserved it.”
The tearful Hearts players arrive back at Tynecastle this afternoon.
They appeared crestfallen as they walked past their fans, who still showed their support for what was an incredible season despite the gut-wrenching finish.
Such a tough day, but they have so much to be proud of.
We await an official Hearts statement on that pitch invasion that led to their hasty retreat from Celtic Park.
They have not posted on social media since the game finished.
Martin O’Neill was asked about the reports of what occurred during those ugly scenes during his post-match interviews.
“If some Hearts players have been accosted, then that’s just not right at all,” he said.
“I genuinely didn’t see the scenes at the end because I thought the game wasn’t over, so I’m trying to push some of our fans off the pitch again to play whatever’s left.
“Obviously, at 3-1, I think that the fourth official had said to me, there was like a minute to go when we scored the goal, so with the best will in the world, they’re not going to get two goals in that time.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of commotion in the tunnel, so I don’t know, but getting back to the point, if Hearts players have been accosted by some of our fans, that’s pretty serious.
“Honestly, I’m not pushing it to the side, it’ll be something that the officials or people will have to look at.”
The moment that Celtic lifted Scottish title number 56.
Their fifth in a row and 14th in the last 15 seasons.
That is now eight major trophies for Martin O’Neill as Celtic manager, a fourth league title and first since 2004.
Is number nine quickly on its way at Hampden Park?
After the most thrilling of title battles and despite a very difficult season by their standards featuring so much upheaval and unrest, the Scottish Premiership season ends in familiar scenes... with Celtic lifting the trophy.
What an impact from Martin O’Neill during two separate interim stints back at the club this term, following Brendan Rodgers’ exit and the disastrous 33-day tenure of Wilfried Nancy.
A fitting way for him to bow out, unless he fancies taking the job on again full-time, of course. Though he did turn 74 in March.
He’s still got a double to win first as he goes up against former captain Neil Lennon and surprise package Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final next Saturday.
The storylines just keep on coming in this remarkable season!
So much to digest after that.
You will be hearing much more about the pitch invasion involving what looked like thousands of home fans.
I’m still not sure if the full-time whistle actually blew before it following Osmand’s goal. I don’t think it did.
There were reports of Celtic fans confronting Hearts players in ugly scenes.
Concerned Hearts officials reportedly called their players down the tunnel and it is also being reported that they had left the stadium within 20 minutes without conducting post-match media duties and with a police escort, with some still in their match kits.
Celtic 3-1 Hearts
Full-time
It appears that the full-time whistle has now gone at Celtic Park, but it was total bedlam for a little while there.
Complete and utter heartbreak for Hearts, who were just minutes away from winning their first title since 1960 and becoming the first club to break the Old Firm’s dominance for 41 years.
But Celtic’s late show ends up dramatically sealing a fifth straight title and a record 56th overall to move one clear of arch-rivals Rangers on the all-time list.
They have won 15 of the last 16 titles now and will be favourites to clinch a double when they meet second-tier Dunfermline under Neil Lennon in the Scottish Cup final next weekend.
This most tumultuous of seasons could have ended in yet another domestic treble, were it not for St Mirren’s exploits in the League Cup final.
What an impact Martin O’Neill has had back in Glasgow.
Of all Celtic’s titles, this has to rank right up there. Remarkable.