Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has addressed the turbulent conclusion to his side’s title-clinching victory over Hearts, responding to allegations that opposition players were accosted by supporters during a post-match pitch invasion.
The Hoops secured the Premiership title on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion. Hearts, needing only a draw to secure their first top-flight championship since 1960, took an early lead through Lawrence Shankland. Celtic bounced back with an Arne Engels penalty before late goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand sealed a 3-1 victory.
Osmand’s goal deep into stoppage time triggered a mass pitch invasion by the home crowd. In the ensuing bedlam, referee Don Robertson blew the final whistle early. O’Neill revealed that the fourth official indicated there was still a minute of play remaining after the final goal, but the crowd surge made continuing impossible.
Hearts Demand Strong Action After ‘Serious’ Abuse
In the wake of the trophy celebrations, Hearts management expressed deep anger over the security breach, calling for the strongest possible disciplinary action from Scottish football authorities. Reports have emerged detailing serious verbal and physical abuse directed at Hearts players and staff as they attempted to leave the field under police escort.
While O’Neill maintained he did not witness the specific altercations, he condemned any mistreatment of the visiting team:
“I’m not pleading the fifth amendment, I don’t know. If there have been some Hearts players accosted then that’s just not right at all. But I genuinely didn’t see the scenes at the end. I thought the game wasn’t over, so I’m trying to push some of our fans off the pitch again to play whatever’s left.
“I didn’t see the incidents. Obviously, there’s a lot of commotion in the tunnel, so I don’t know. But if Hearts players have been accosted by some of our fans, that’s pretty serious.”O’Neill Reflects on a Uniquely Chaotic Season
O’Neill’s return to the Celtic dugout marks a remarkable chapter in a highly unstable season for the club, which saw the departures of both Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy. Reflecting on the emotional victory, the veteran manager praised the resilience of his squad while acknowledging that the club faces a crucial summer of rebuilding.
- On the Atmosphere: “When there is absolute unison in this stadium, it is a sight to behold. I never thought I would ever stand on a winner’s podium at this club again, not in a million years.”
- On Team Spirit: “This group have been through a lot: a resignation, me coming in and leaving, another fella coming in and leaving. That is disturbing for a team. For all the tactics in the world, it is about heart.”
- A Warning for the Future: “We have lots of things to put right. Hearts have been brilliant this year, and it is a wake-up call to Celtic and Rangers.”