Celtic claim fifth consecutive title in chaotic Scottish Premiership finale
Martin O’Neill’s side overturns Hearts’ lead to secure the championship, while disorder requires police intervention to ensure player safety.
Celtic have secured their fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title following a dramatic 3-1 victory over Hearts in the final match of the season. The result, confirmed in the closing moments of stoppage time, maintains the Old Firm’s dominance of the league for a 41st year and marks a significant turnaround for the defending champions under the stewardship of manager Martin O’Neill.
The match concluded with a late comeback that defied Hearts’ earlier dominance. The Edinburgh side led 1-0 until the 48th minute, when Arne Engels converted a penalty following a handball by Kieran Tierney. Hearts maintained their lead for the majority of the second half, capitalising on Celtic’s defensive struggles and the physical toll on their own squad, which saw key players forced off through injury.
Celtic’s equaliser arrived in the 87th minute through Daizen Maeda, who poked in a cross from Callum Osmond after a lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal was valid. The momentum shifted decisively in the final moments when Osmond raced the length of the pitch to score into an empty net, sealing the win and the championship for the Glasgow club.
The conclusion of the match was marred by significant disorder. Following the final whistle, hundreds of Celtic supporters invaded the pitch, causing chaos that required police intervention to escort Hearts players off the field. Club captain Lawrence Shankland and his teammates were surrounded by officers to ensure their safety as the crowd surged onto the playing area.
The victory represents a remarkable recovery for Celtic, who had faced instability earlier in the season following the dismissal of Wilfried Nancy. O’Neill, returning for a second caretaker spell, praised the squad’s resilience, noting that the team had shown "enormous character" to keep their title hopes alive. The win marks O’Neill’s fourth title at the club, 22 years after his previous success.
For Hearts, the result ends a 66-year wait for a league title. Manager Derek McInnes had guided his side to a strong position, including early-season victories against Celtic, but the late collapse and subsequent pitch invasion left the club devastated. The incident has drawn criticism for the safety of the visiting players and the conduct of the invading supporters.
Celtic’s triumph ensures they remain at the summit of Scottish football, extending their recent success to 14 titles in 15 years. The club’s ability to respond to adversity was highlighted by their recent 99th-minute winner at Motherwell, which meant any victory against Hearts on the final day would suffice for the championship.
