The Celtics are champions. After everything that has happened this season — the crises, the chaos, the comebacks — the Hoops have accomplished their mission in Paradise in the most dramatic way imaginable.
Celtic beat Hearts 3-1 at Paradise Stadium to win the Scottish Premiership title for the fifth consecutive season in the most stifling of circumstances. Callum Osmand’s 98th-minute breakthrough goal – which sent the entire pitch into an empty net – sealed the match, sparking scenes of mayhem that will live long in the memory. This is Celtic’s 14th title in 15 years and Martin O’Neill’s fourth at the club. We are champions. again.
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Hearts have been leading the charge in this title race since September. They get to heaven and need just one point — or a Celtics turnover — to end their 66-year wait for a championship. It’s rare that anyone can give anyone a clear advantage heading into the final stretch of the season, and for much of this game the Jambos executed their game plan in near-flawless fashion. The Celtics failed to make a field goal in 32 minutes. Then Laurence Shankland – who else – headed home from a set-piece just before half-time for his 16th goal of this remarkable season. On the sideline, Derek McGinnis punched the air. The title went to Gao Ji.
Celtic responded within six minutes, but not without controversy. Kieran Tierney’s cross struck Alessandro Chiziridis on the arm as he fell to the ground and referee Don Robertson pointed to it. McGinnis was furious. “Are you kidding me?” he yelled at the fourth official. But VAR did not intervene and Arne Engels equalized with a low shot from Alexander Schwolow. Celtic Park – already shaking – erupted. A new game begins.
In the second half, both sides were under siege. O’Neill switched to a 3-5-2 formation, sending out Kelechi Iheanacho and letting Daizen Maeda and James Forrest serve as offensive full-backs, with Osmand leading the way. Iheanacho hits the post. Benjamin Nygren saw a shot tipped over. Osmande headers from close range. With Craig Hackett, Mark Leonard and Beni Baningim injured in the hamstring already missing, McInnes had made all five substitutions in the 67th minute. Jambos is running out of energy.
Then, in the 87th minute, came the moment that changed everything. Maeda sprinted to the front post to meet Osmande’s cross – initially flagged for offside, but VAR confirmed he was offside. Green smoke has risen. My heart is broken. When a tired Kami Devlin was charged into injury time, Osmand fired into an empty net in the simplest of ways. As Celtic did at Motherwell a few days ago, they found a way when it mattered most. That’s the spirit of this side.
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Martin O’Neill – and what he means to the club
After the game, O’Neal was visibly overwhelmed. “These players give me a reason to live” he said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see these guys win a championship.” At the age of 74, he won his fourth title at Celtic Park, 22 years later – a complete fiction. The Green Brigade’s pre-game banner with O’Neal lifting the trophy was prophetic for the entire game.
“When there’s a unified voice in this stadium, it’s a sight to behold,” he added. He is right. Everyone roared together on the day the champions were decided at Celtic Park – there was nothing better in the world.
This title was forged in adversity. When O’Neal returned in January after Wilfrid Nancy’s disastrous eight-game stretch, the Celtics were in crisis. As the season drew to a close, the shadow of 1986 loomed over Hearts – and just like then, they were denied on the final day. Since O’Neill was reinstated, Celtic have scored 46 points from a possible 54, chasing Hearts, who had the best defensive record in the division for much of the season. The season ends with seven wins from seven games. Motherwell won in the 99th minute. Now this.
The Celtics’ legacy as a franchise has continued for 41 years. Fourteen championships in fifteen seasons. Five in a row. Hearts’ 66-year wait continues.
We are Celtic. We never stop. champion.