A thrilling Scottish Premiership season ended in pandemonium and disgrace as Celtic defeated Hearts to win the title in the final minutes of the decider as hundreds of fans invaded the pitch.
The Hearts players had to be escorted down the tunnel as thousands of Celtic fans spilled on to the pitch immediately after Callum Osmand made it 3-1 deep into stoppage time of their title decider.
Some confronted the crestfallen Jambos, who were called down the tunnel by club officials concerned for their safety, and the match, which was approaching the end of the indicated eight minutes of added time, did not restart.
With Celtic’s players and supporters still inside the ground waiting to lift the trophy, a 14th in 15 years, the Hearts team bus left Parkhead with players still in their match kits within 20 minutes of the full-time whistle.
They later returned to Tynecastle in tears and a strong club statement followed, confirming that Hearts are in dialogue with Police Scotland and would be investigating “deeply disturbing” reports of “serious physical and verbal abuse” of players and staff.
Follow live reaction of Celtic v Hearts, below
Another handball, another Celtic penalty!
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.
Lawrence Shankland heads Hearts ahead, on course for title
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.
‘No place’ for the scenes at full-time, says former Celtic striker Chris Sutton
“There’s no place for that, you can imagine how the Hearts players felt, such a long season and losing it at the end.
“The Celtic fans that have got involved with the Hearts players are lucky they didn’t get a thump or two.”
‘An embarrassment to Scottish football’: Hearts issue strong statement on ‘shameful’ scenes at Celtic
Hearts have said the behaviour of some Celtic fans “embarrassed Scottish football” amid what the club described as “disturbing” reports of “serious physical and verbal abuse towards players and stuff” in the aftermath of Saturday’s Scottish Premiership title decider.
Full story:
Behaviour of some supporters ‘unacceptable’ – James McFadden
The behaviour of some Celtic fans towards Hearts players has been described as “unacceptable” by former Scotland striker James McFadden.
“I understand spilling over, onto the pitch, with emotion, you back off, but this is unacceptable to me, going up to players.
“I get emotions running high, players should be safe on the football pitch. You do not want to see that.
“There will always be people who spoil it for everyone. You heard the majority of the fans booing the fans that came onto the pitch. They understand.
“That is unacceptable to me. Players should be safe on a football pitch. They should not be surrounded by stewards.”
NEW: Hearts condemn ‘shameful’ and ’embarrassing’ scenes at Celtic
“Heart of Midlothian utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football.
“Reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing. We are investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland. We will make no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation.
Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties. To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.
“The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish.
“Our players were then denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans – sensational to a person – for their backing this afternoon and all season long.
“We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game.
“This season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland, but the world over. We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.”
Hearts return back to Tynecastle and receive emotional welcome
Hearts were welcomed back home by their supporters, but several players were visibly upset at the events earlier in the day.
Alexandros Kyziridis, Frankie Kent, Stuart Findlay and Jamie McCart all struggled to contain their emotions upon return to Tynecastle Park, with hundreds of fans greeting them.
Derek McInnes was seen consoling his players with fans unveiling banners of gratitude after a historic season for the Jambos, despite finishing as runner-up.
Celtic move above Rangers on 56 titles
History for Celtic. After winning 14 of the last 15 titles, they move ahead of rivals Rangers. It’s a 56th for Celtic, leaving Rangers behind on 55.
Hearts players return to Tynecastle
Glum faces on the Hearts players as they return to Tynecastle, where supporters have turned out to congratulate the team on their season. Some of the players were still in their kits after leaving Celtic Park within minutes of the end.
Martin O’Neill: ‘Hearts have been brilliant – it’s a wake-up call’
“Hearts have been brilliant. This year, it’s a wake up call, an absolute wake up call to to Celtic and Rangers for a start.
”I think Hearts have been the story of the year as well too, because they’ve really been brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
”They’re six or seven minutes away from winning it, and if they’d won it, they would have deserved it. There’s no question about it.”
