Derek McInnes said it would be bedlam. Then, when the most thrilling of title races came down to the final seconds, chaos exploded. Unopposed, Callum Osmand ran the length of the pitch and finished into an empty net to seal Celtic’s fifth title in a row, triggering hundreds of supporters to spill onto the pitch and give chase. What are Hearts if not to be broken? For McInnes and his players, who had led the way since late September, a first title in 66 years slipped away in the final 10 minutes of an enthralling decider. A Celtic title maintains the Old Firm’s dominance to 41 years and counting.
But was also a disgraceful way for the most compelling of seasons to end. Amid the carnage, it was hard to know when the full-time whistle sounded, if it did at all. McInnes and his team had already been removed from the pitch for their own safety when the stadium announcer cried that the season was over and declared Celtic champions. As hundreds flooded the pitch, from all corners, the police and stewards were painfully slow to react. Lawrence Shankland, the captain, whose goal had Hearts on course for the title, had to be escorted off the pitch surrounded by police. Several of his teammates had been abused by those invading the pitch – a further insult as the title was whisked away. The Hearts team, some still in their kit, were then bundled onto the bus and had already left Celtic Park within 10 minutes of the end.
In the mayhem, there is a beautiful story to be told in Martin O’Neill, returning to Celtic and winning his fourth title at the club at the age of 74, 22 years after his last. His changes, during a season in which he returned for two caretaker spells, guided Celtic through the madness and altered the game as Hearts desperately tried to hang on. Until the 87th minute, the title was heading to Tynecastle. But then, just like in 1986, there was heartbreak for Gorgie. Daizen Maeda’s finish in the 87th minute, followed later by Osmand’s breakaway in the 98th, denied the visitors the unlikeliest of triumphs, right at the last.
For the challengers, it was utter, unbelievable devastation. Their last title remains in 1960. Just like 40 years ago, Celtic overhauled them on the final day, winning their final seven games of the season to complete a remarkable comeback for a club that had been in crisis when O’Neill was recalled in January following the dismal eight-game reign of Wilfried Nancy. They found spirit under a club legend, an ability to come from behind and score late goals. Their 99th-minute winner at Motherwell on Wednesday had ensured that any win against Hearts would suffice on the final day.
Hearts had won at Celtic in December in the first of Nancy’s eight disastrous games in charge. Having done it before, Shankland said they would travel with confidence and in full belief of their approach. Yet Celtic Park was a toxic place earlier in the season. O’Neill had managed to unite a divided club: the banner displayed by the Green Brigade displayed the Northern Irishman holding the Scottish Premiership trophy he last lifted in 2004. The place shook, with the 752 Hearts fans huddled together in the corner outnumbered by around 80 to one.
McInnes would have been expecting a fast start from Celtic. For the first 48 minutes, his side executed a near-perfect gameplan, with the call to leave out player of the year Claudio Braga in order to prioritise their defensive shape, even if McInnes maintained the Portuguese was nursing a groin problem, justified as Hearts quietened the deafeningly loud jeers that accompanied their every touch. Off the ball, their defensive organisation frustrated Celtic, the howls of impatience as centre-backs Auston Trusty and Liam Scales dithered music to their ears. Celtic failed to have a shot for 32 minutes. Trusty was deliberately left on the ball and his confidence visibly eroded. There were further groans when Scales conceded a corner, needlessly, in the 42nd minute.
From it, Hearts attempted an ambitious set-piece routine, with Jordi Altena looking to find Alexandros Kyziridis on the edge of the box. But he miscued the pass and Hearts only just managed to recover to settle for another. This time, Altena kept it simple and looked for the back post. He found Shankland, the captain heading his 16th of the season. On the touchline, McInnes raised a clenched fist to those in maroon whose noise could be heard peaking over the bedlam for the first time. As they were for 12 minutes on Wednesday, and most of this season, Hearts were on course for the title.
This time, Celtic’s response took six minutes. Inevitably, there would be some controversy: another handball and another penalty just days after the decision at Fir Park that brought Celtic to within one point of Hearts. This time, Celtic had more of a case. The appeals came instantly when Kyziridis slid in and Kieran Tierney’s cross struck his outstretched arm as he went to ground. “Are you kidding?” McInnes bellowed at the fourth official, but referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot and VAR, this time, did not intervene. Arne Engels converted, firing under Alexander Schwolow. Celtic Park erupted and the roar continued, blocking out the half-time whistle, signalling the start of a new game.
Painfully, the injuries mounted for Hearts. Already without key duo Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard, the reliable Beni Baningime was forced off holding his hamstring shortly after the restart. Pierre Landry Kabore, who started ahead of Braga, ran himself into the ground until he could go no further, bringing the Portuguese’s delayed arrival. Michael Steinwender soldiered on, continuing to run off a dead leg from the first half. The defender had no other option; McInnes had used up his five changes by the 67th minute. It was a risk but Hearts needed the fresh legs in preparation for what was to come.
In turn, O’Neill had to go for it. He gambled, changing to 3-5-2, with attacking wing-backs in Maeda and James Forrest and Kelechi Iheanacho up front with the returning Osmand. It immediately brought a chance but the Welsh substitute could not find Maeda when it was two-on-two. Engels placed a free-kick over, Iheanacho hit the post, Benjamin Nygren saw a shot tipped over by Schwolow, then Osmand headed over from Maeda’s cross. Hearts, now desperately hanging on, put up the barricades and Celtic prepared to lay siege: the title came down to whether they could survive. Iheanacho had been inches away.
But the margin of Maeda’s goal was much clearer. Initially given offside, the forward was onside when he made the burst to the front post to poke in Osmand’s cross. The smell of sulphur and the sight of green smoke was already in the air as VAR checked, the title hanging in the balance. But it came crashing down for Hearts, drained players dropping to their knees. Already, a few fans had made their way over the hoardings towards the touchline. In the frenzy, Hearts had to regroup but a disappointment that will be tough to process had already started to sink in. Eight minutes had been added on but Hearts had lost control; it was a forlorn chase.
Then, in the final throes, an exhausted Cammy Devlin was caught on the edge of the box after goalkeeper Schwolow had advanced for the late set-piece. Osmand raced from one end to the other, sparking pandemonium. After the carnage, of which there will surely be further ramifications, Hearts’ exit was swift. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see these players win the title,” said O’Neill. “They have given me a reason to live. When there is unison in this stadium it’s a sight to behold.” It is a 14th in 15 years for Celtic. For Hearts, the pain of ending their 66-year wait will continue.
