It was such a shame a Scottish season for the ages had to end this way. It was not even afforded an official final whistle. Celtic were already on the verge of a fifth title in a row as Hearts were counterattacked from a free-kick. With the visiting goalkeeper, Alexander Schwolow, in the wrong half, Celtic’s Callum Osmand had a free run on goal.
Celtic’s third was the trigger for hundreds of supporters to flood the pitch, not only in celebration, but to goad. confront the shattered Hearts players. There was still stoppage time to play, but Hearts headed for the tunnel and never re-emerged. Within 20 minutes,. with players still in their kit, the visitors were on their bus back to Edinburgh under police escort. Given their immense contribution to this championship, it was a depressing scene.
With the Scottish Professional Football League’s chief executive. chair looking on, there should be significant repercussions for Celtic when dust settles. This was a grim, needless way to conclude such a memorable set of months. It was also barely a surprise. Scotland’s clubs and governing bodies have indulged delinquent fans for far too long.
For Martin O’Neill, another title and one that looked unlikely for so long. Hearts had been top of the league since September. their dreams of ending a 66-year wait for the title ruined in such agonising circumstances. With 86 minutes on the clock, this was Hearts’ day as they clung on to the point they required. Celtic’s title is due primarily to a stirring run of seven wins in a row through April and May. Next Saturday, O’Neill could complete a domestic double.
The 1991 meeting of Rangers. Aberdeen marked the last time direct rivals faced off on the final day for the Scottish title. This fixture was a big deal. felt like one; not only in respect of the atmosphere here, but in Edinburgh, where Hearts supporters queued for bars from the crack of dawn.
The stadium announcer asked Celtic to summon the spirit of 1986. Then, Hearts were beaten to the league on goal difference as Celtic trounced St Mirren. Although the situation 40 years on was materially different, the widespread comparisons were natural.
Hearts’ Derek McInnes threw curveballs with his starting selection, with Stephen Kingsley deployed at right-back. Jordi Altena on the left of midfield. Cláudio Braga, Scotland’s player of the year, was left on the bench. Braga’s replacement, Pierre Landry Kaboré, provided a physicality that said much about Hearts’ approach. It worked during the first quarter of the game, with Celtic looking the nervier side and unable to create opportunity.
Worse was to come for the hosts. With those in the stands already grumbling anxiously, Hearts took the lead. From an inswinging Kingsley corner, Lawrence Shankland stole in at the back post while completely unmarked. The Hearts captain headed home, sending the tiny band of fans in maroon into raptures. Hearts had offered little in attack to that point, but had been so perfectly drilled as to frustrate Celtic.
Hearts’ task was to reach the interval with their lead intact. They were denied that, courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty they can have little complaint about. Alexandros Kyziridis slid to block Kieran Tierney’s cross, but with his arm raised. As the ball struck that arm, a spot-kick was the natural outcome. Arne Engels shrugged off a considerable delay before slamming the penalty underneath Schwolow.
The equaliser did little to convince O’Neill of Celtic’s threat. He introduced Kelechi Iheanacho at the interval in place of the ineffectual Sebastian Tounekti. McInnes reacted to the switch by switching from a back four to five. Hearts’ next change was enforced and felt significant. Beni Baningime collapsed in a heap with no opponent near him. Hearts were already short of options in midfield.
With 17 minutes to play, O’Neill opted to be bold. Substitutions meant Liam Scales was the only recognised central defender. Hearts had already involved Braga in their attack.
Engels lined up a 20-yard free kick for Celtic after Cammy Devlin had needlessly hauled him to the turf. The Belgian, however, could not keep the ball low enough. Moments later, Iheanacho struck the outside of Schwolow’s left-hand post. Schwolow’s 80th-minute, one-handed save from Benjamin Nygren came in a spell were Celtic were ramping up pressure.
That had mildly subsided by the time Maeda struck. The Japanese forward stole in to meet Osmand’s cross, reprieved by a video assistant referee check for offside. Chaos followed Osmand’s third goal. We have not heard the end of this fixture. Nor should we have.
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