Celtic were crowned Scottish Premiership champions after a dramatic 3-1 victory over Hearts on the final day, overturning a title race that had seen the Jambos lead the table for 250 days.
Martin O’Neill’s team knew only a win would see them leapfrog Hearts. Lawrence Shankland gave the visitors the lead with a header at the back post, prompting loud celebrations from the away support. Celtic responded and were awarded a penalty when Kieran Tierney’s cross struck the arm of Alexandros Kyziridis; referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot and Arne Engels coolly converted, drawing Celtic level.
After the break Celtic dominated possession and created several chances. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho struck the post, while goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow produced brilliant stops to deny Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda. Hearts also suffered injury blows, losing Beni Baningime and Pierre Landry Kabore.
The decisive moments came late. In the 87th minute Daizen Maeda forced home from Callum Osmand’s low cross, but the initial flag went up for offside. VAR intervened and overturned the call, showing Osmand was onside to set up Maeda’s finish. With Hearts pushing for an equaliser and Schwolow upfield for a set-piece, Osmand broke clear to tap into an empty net and make it 3-1. Fans poured onto the pitch as Celtic sealed the title.
The triumph caps a turbulent season at Parkhead marked by fan protests and managerial changes, but also underlines Celtic’s domestic dominance: this is their 14th top-flight crown in 15 seasons and takes their all-time tally to 56, moving them ahead in the historic rivalry with Rangers.
O’Neill, who returned to steady the club after taking over with Celtic six points behind, paid tribute to his players and supporters. He said the squad had given him a ‘reason to live’ and praised their mental courage and unity at Celtic Park. Captain Callum McGregor, who has now won numerous league titles, described the achievement as ‘magical’ and spoke of a group that never gave up.
Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton hailed the turnaround as one of O’Neill’s biggest achievements and argued there would be strong support for him to continue if he wishes to stay on.
Individual contributions across the squad were important. Maeda delivered a late winner and key goals in the closing stages of the campaign, Benjamin Nygren finished with a strong goals-and-assists return, Kieran Tierney provided attacking and defensive support, and Iheanacho’s late goals proved decisive in several matches. James Forrest became the first player to win 14 Scottish top-flight titles.
Celtic now head into the Scottish Cup final on May 23 against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline with the chance to complete a domestic double. For Hearts, the disappointment of missing out on a historic non-Old Firm title will linger after a season in which they led the division for the majority of the campaign.