Hearts missed out on the title after losing to Celtic on a dramatic final day (Image: Getty)
The eyes of the football world have been firmly fixed on the Scottish Premiership in recent weeks. This is a sentence that is rarely written or said, considering how boring, low-quality, and monotonous the league usually is. It’s rare to see two teams battle it out at the top, leading to a shocking winner-take-all showdown on the final day.
For the neutrals, it was certainly a nice change from the boring status quo of Celtic running away year after year. It was set up as a fitting end to an extraordinary campaign, and while there was certainly no shortage of drama, the way it ended was a huge disappointment, especially with the world watching.
Celtic scored two late goals to take the title from Hearts, but that in itself was not the problem. It wasn’t the result that many had hoped for, but few will begrudge the Hoops, who struck form at the right time and won when it mattered.
Hearts, on the other hand, should have taken more points from the bottom of the league all season. Had they done so, they would not have relied on a final day win at Parkhead to claim their first league title since 1960.
The outcome of the title race didn’t matter, but the way the decisive game ended (or wasn’t it?) certainly left a sour taste, even though most non-Celtic fans wanted Hearts to win.
Just seconds after Callum Osmund slotted the ball into an empty net, Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schworrow was nowhere to be seen, and thousands of Celtic fans rushed onto the field to celebrate their fifth title in as many years.
There was still time left in the game, but the sheer number of supporters on the pitch made it impossible. The match was initially called off but ended early, but it is still unclear whether the referee actually blew the final whistle.
Some ferocious Celtic fans are said to have attacked devastated Hearts players, including goalscorer Lawrence Shankland, as they trudged back into position in hopes of restarting the match.
Some vicious Celtic fans ruined the day with their own stupidity. (Image: Getty)
Given the statement issued later that evening, it would not be surprising if Hearts were to choose legal action to enforce penalties against Celtic.
In it, they condemned the “shameful scenes” that unfolded, claiming it was a “shame” for Scottish football and said they expected the relevant authorities to take the “strongest possible action”.
It’s hard to agree with that assessment and Hearts have every right to be furious at what unfolded at the end of the game.
But whether Scottish football leaders are brave enough to risk the wrath of Celtic, the country’s biggest and most influential club, is another matter entirely.
Any talk of stripping them of the title and handing it to Hearts should be ignored, as it would turn Scottish football into an even bigger circus than it already is. But something has to be done. Otherwise, it sends a message that such scenes are perfectly acceptable.
In a perfect world, Celtic supporters would have acted like adults and waited until the final whistle to start celebrating. Unfortunately, they can’t help themselves and their title will forever be tainted by their own actions. It’s a shame!
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