- Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho cuddles trophy all thanks to stoppage-time winners
In a breathtaking climax, the Scottish Premiership title race went down to the absolute wire, culminating in a pulsating, winner-takes-all showdown at Celtic Park.
Against all odds and erasing a first-half Hearts lead, Celtic rallied with incredible resilience. The Hoops survived an afternoon of incredible tension to get over the line, eventually sparking scenes of unbridled joy as they carried the day with a 3-1 victory.
Two late strikes did the magic and not only broke their opponents’ hearts, but also uncorked an irrepressible wave of joy and unyielding passion as it triggered roaring, emerald-clad street parties throughout the green half of Glasgow.
Indeed, it was a late drama that secured the crown for Celtic in a season where Hearts had occupied the top spot since September. Interestingly, the final day scripts were rewritten at a raucous Celtic Park with Hearts needing only a draw to secure their first league title in 66 years. However, they were ultimately undone by a relentless Celtic side that refused to surrender its dominance over Scottish football.
The match swung on the finest of margins, with Daizen Maeda firing the hosts into a 2-1 lead with just three minutes of normal time remaining. The goal was subject to a tense VAR review for a potential offside, but once the decision was confirmed, the momentum shifted entirely in favour of the Hoops. It marked a historic achievement for 74-year-old manager Martin O’Neill, claiming his fourth title with the club 22 years after his last league success.
But it was such a shame a Scottish season for the ages had to end this way without even 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 and 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, and 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,
For Hearts, the defeat marks a season of absolute, unyielding dominance that met a brutally poetic execution, shattering, in the cruelest soccer tragedy imaginable, their 250-day reign at the top since October, while Celtic had spent only one – the final day that mattered most.
