Celtic scored two late goals to beat Heart of Midlothian 3-1 at home in a nerve-racking final-day title showdown, securing the Scottish Premiership championship for a record 56th time on Saturday. With time running out and Hearts needing only a draw to finish top, Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand shattered the visitors' hopes. Osmand ran through to score into an empty goal with virtually the last kick of stoppage time, sparking pandemonium as Celtic fans streamed onto the pitch.
Celtic's Dramatic Comeback
It was the 14th time in 15 seasons that Celtic have won the title, but none have been as hard-earned. They had trailed Hearts in the standings since the start of October but were revitalized after Martin O'Neill returned as interim manager in January, finishing with seven successive victories. O'Neill, 74, who has now won four league titles with Celtic, said on the pitch: "This is the most special place on Earth." Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney told Sky Sports: "This season has been mental. It's unbelievable. We never give up and this team is the most mentally strong team I've ever been involved with. This is the best thing I've ever won." Captain Callum McGregor, winning his 11th Scottish title, paid tribute to O'Neill: "He dragged us through time and time again. Everyone wrote us off."
Hearts' Heartbreak
It was despair for Hearts, who suffered the same fate as 40 years ago when they also lost out on the final day to Celtic. For the first time since 1991, the Scottish title went to a final-day decider between the top two, and there was a cauldron-like atmosphere at Parkhead. Hearts controlled the first half and seemed on course for glory when Lawrence Shankland headed them in front from a Stephen Kingsley corner in the 43rd minute. However, Celtic equalized in first-half stoppage time after Alexandros Kyziridis was adjudged by VAR to have blocked a Tierney cross with his arm, and Arne Engels scored from the penalty spot.
Second-Half Drama
Celtic piled forward as the final whistle approached. Kelechi Iheanacho hit the post, and Maeda scored from close range, but the offside flag went up. After an agonizing VAR check, the goal was allowed to stand. Hearts, who had led the table for 226 days since the start of October, tried to respond in stoppage time. In one last desperate effort, everyone went forward for a corner. When the ball broke for Celtic, and with Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow stranded, Osmand ran half the length of the pitch toward a heaving sea of green fans to seal the victory.
Controversy and Context
It was a devastating day for Hearts, who were so close to becoming the first team other than Celtic or Rangers to win the Scottish title since Aberdeen in 1985. They will look back, with some justification, to the controversial stoppage-time penalty that Celtic scored to beat Motherwell 3-2 on Wednesday, a result that swung the odds back toward the Glasgow giants. Had that game ended in a draw, Celtic would have required a victory by three goals on Saturday.
