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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GOAL! Celtic 3-1 Hearts | Callum Osmand 98'
98 mins: Celtic need to find some composure here as Maeda gives the ball away easily and captain McGregor is booked for a wild challenge.
Goalkeeper Schwolow is up for Spittal’s free-kick, but it’s headed away and now Celtic will surely add a last-gasp third goal to wrap up this incredible title win.
Osmand sprints clear from inside his own half and eventually taps it into an empty net.
It prompts a pitch invasion and it is now utter pandemonium at Celtic Park.
I’m not sure if the final whistle has gone yet but there are hundreds of fans on the pitch.
Chaos!
Celtic 2-1 Hearts
96 mins: Engels gives away a cheap free-kick midway inside the Hearts half and now Maeda is booked for kicking the ball away.
Celtic are almost there...
Celtic 2-1 Hearts
95 mins: Time is running out for Hearts and there’s a flashpoint on the touchline that results in bookings for Shankland and Saracchi.
Celtic repel a stream of deliveries into their box and now Maeda celebrates in front of Shankland after winning a crucial challenge.
Celtic 2-1 Hearts
92 mins: The jubilant Celtic fans revel in Steinwender heading well wide from a corner.
But Hearts are really going for this now...
Celtic 2-1 Hearts
90 mins: Incredible scenes at Celtic Park after that Maeda goal that may just have won them another title.
Utterly heartbreaking for Hearts, but it’s not over yet.
EIGHT minutes of stoppage time have been signalled.
GOAL! Celtic 2-1 Hearts | Daizen Maeda 88'
88 mins: THE GOAL IS GIVEN!
Celtic 1-1 Hearts
86 mins: Maeda turns in Osmand’s cross and Celtic Park erupts again... but the offside flag is up!
This will be checked...
Celtic 1-1 Hearts
85 mins: It’s just not happening for Celtic and now Hearts are bleeding crucial minutes off the clock thanks to great work from the likes of Braga and Shankland up top.
They force a corner that Sinisalo punches and Shankland can’t react to turn an errant strike goalbound.
Here come Celtic again...
Celtic 1-1 Hearts
82 mins: Stretched Hearts look in real bother again inside the box as Maeda twists and turns before delivering a ball that is headed off target by Osmand.
The offside flag is up.
The tension is absolutely incredible.
Celtic 1-1 Hearts
80 mins: Hearts are thwarted on the counter-attack before Celtic quickly come again and Iheanacho’s strike slams into the base of the post!
So, so close to that all-important second goal.
And now Schwolow crucially tips over from Nygren. Wow.