Celtic dramatically clinched the Scottish Premiership title on the final day of the season, scoring two late goals to defeat Heart of Midlothian 3-1 at Celtic Park on Saturday and secure a 14th league crown in 15 years.
Needing victory to leapfrog Hearts at the top of the table, Celtic came from behind in a tense and emotional encounter to deny the Edinburgh club a first league title in 66 years.
For much of the afternoon, Hearts looked poised to end the decades-long dominance of Scottish football by Celtic and Rangers — a grip on the title that now stretches to 41 consecutive years.
The dramatic turnaround sparked wild celebrations inside Celtic Park, with fans pouring onto the pitch after substitute Callum Osmand scored deep into stoppage time to seal the victory. Reports later emerged that some Hearts players were confronted as they left the field.
Hearts departed the stadium shortly after the final whistle, with players still in their kits and without conducting post-match media interviews.
“I genuinely can’t believe it, it’s like a dream,” said Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, who returned twice on an interim basis this season, more than two decades after his first spell in charge.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” the 74-year-old added.
Hearts, managed by Derek McInnes, struck first just before halftime when captain Lawrence Shankland headed home from a corner in the 43rd minute.
Celtic responded moments before the break after Arne Engels converted a penalty awarded for handball following a VAR review.
The second half became increasingly tense as Hearts defended resolutely while Celtic pushed relentlessly for a winner.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 87th minute when Daizen Maeda bundled the ball into the net from Osmand’s cross. The goal was initially flagged offside before VAR overturned the decision, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Osmand then capped the dramatic comeback with the final kick of the match, sprinting clear from inside his own half to score into an empty net after Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow had ventured forward in search of a late equaliser.
The defeat was another heartbreaking chapter for Hearts, whose previous near-misses include losing the 1965 title on goal average and surrendering the championship in dramatic fashion in 1986 after a late collapse on the final day.
Saturday’s showdown marked the first time in 35 years that the top two teams in Scotland faced each other on the final day with the title on the line.
Celtic’s triumph also extended manager O’Neill’s remarkable legacy, while keeping alive the club’s domestic dominance in Scottish football.
AFP
