Celtic clinch the Premiership title after Hearts showdown

Celtic are champions. After everything this season threw at them – the crisis, the chaos, the comeback – the Hoops finished the job at Paradise in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.

Celtic are Scottish Premiership champions for the fifth consecutive season, clinching the title in the most breathless of circumstances with a 3-1 victory over Hearts at Paradise. Callum Osmand’s 98th-minute breakaway goal – running the length of the pitch into an empty net – sealed the deal, triggering scenes of pandemonium that will live long in the memory. It is Celtic’s 14th title in 15 years, and Martin O’Neill’s fourth at the club. We are the champions. Again.

Hearts had led this title race since September. They arrived at Paradise needing just a point – or a Celtic slip – to end a 66-year wait for the championship. Few gave anyone a clear edge going into the final stretch of this season, and for large parts of this contest, the Jambos executed their gameplan with near-perfection. Celtic failed to register a shot for 32 minutes. And then Lawrence Shankland – who else – headed Hearts in front from a set-piece just before half-time, his 16th goal of a remarkable season. On the touchline, Derek McInnes punched the air. The title was going to Gorgie.

Celtic’s response came within six minutes, and it came with controversy. Kieran Tierney’s cross struck the arm of Alexandros Kyziridis as he went to ground, and referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot. McInnes was apoplectic. “Are you kidding?” he bellowed at the fourth official. But VAR did not intervene, and Arne Engels fired low under Alexander Schwolow to restore parity. Celtic Park – already shaking – erupted. A new game had begun.

The second half was a siege. O’Neill switched to a 3-5-2, throwing on Kelechi Iheanacho and pushing Daizen Maeda and James Forrest as attacking wing-backs, with Osmand leading the line. Iheanacho hit the post. Benjamin Nygren saw a shot tipped over. Osmand headed over from close range. Hearts were hanging on by their fingernails – already without Craig Halkett, Marc Leonard, and a hamstring-stricken Beni Baningime, with McInnes having burned through all five substitutions by the 67th minute. The Jambos were running on fumes.

Then, in the 87th minute, the moment that changed everything. Maeda darted to the front post to poke in Osmand’s cross – initially flagged offside, but VAR confirmed he was onside. The green smoke was already rising. Hearts were broken. And when an exhausted Cammy Devlin was caught in possession deep into stoppage time, Osmand had the simplest of finishes into an empty net. Just as Celtic had done at Motherwell days earlier to set up this showdown, they found a way when it mattered most. That is the spirit of this side.

Martin O’Neill – and what he means to this club

Speaking post-match, O’Neill was visibly overwhelmed. “These players have given me a reason to live,” he said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see these players win the title.” At 74 years of age, winning his fourth title at Celtic Park 22 years after his last – it is the stuff of fiction. The Green Brigade’s pre-match banner of O’Neill holding the trophy felt prophetic by full-time.

“When there is unison in this stadium it’s a sight to behold,” he added. And he is right. Celtic Park on a title-deciding day, roaring as one – there is nothing like it on this earth.

This title was forged in adversity. When O’Neill returned in January following Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous eight-game tenure, Celtic were a club in crisis. The shadow of 1986 loomed over Hearts as the season drew to its conclusion – and just like then, they were denied on the final day. Since O’Neill’s re-appointment, Celtic took 46 points from a possible 54 to chase down a Hearts side that had the division’s best defensive record for most of the campaign. Seven wins from seven to close the season. A 99th-minute winner at Motherwell. And now this.

Celtic’s Old Firm dominance now stands at 41 unbroken years. Fourteen titles in fifteen seasons. Five in a row. Hearts’ 66-year wait goes on.

We are Celtic. We never stop. Champions.