Celtic 3-1 Hearts: Derek McInnes and his team suffered late heartbreak just minutes from becoming Scottish champions for the first time in over 60 years.
Celtic won the SPL title in the most dramatic fashion (Image: Ian McNicol)
Heartbroken Hearts were disastrously denied a first Scottish title since 1960 as Celtic scored in the 87th minute and again in stoppage time to snatch the SPL trophy.
The latest, and perhaps most controversial, chapter of a captivating SPL season was written in midweek when a 99th-minute VAR penalty kept Celtic in the title race with Hearts, setting up this mouth-watering final-day shoot-out. However, he was initially ruled offside, but that was overturned when Daizen Maeda intervened just before he died.
Derek McInnes and his team have defied expectations all season but knew they would have to struggle in the cauldron at Celtic Park in the early stages. But the mission was simple. If they avoid defeat, they will win their first national title since 1960.
It was an almost perfect first half for the visitors as they held Celtic at arm’s length and frustrated a hostile home crowd. However, the match exploded in the final minutes of the 45th minute.
read more: Who is Tony Bloom? The ringleader of Hearts is a poker player nicknamed “The Lizard” and owns the Prem Club.read more: Celtic referee says he will be under police surveillance along with his family after VAR controversy
Hearts supporters got a taste of what was to come in the 43rd minute when captain Lawrence Shankland found the lurking striker floating at the back post from a corner kick and broke the deadlock.
Unfortunately for the Maroons, Champagne was rushed back on the ice after just six minutes as Alexandros Kyzyridis was penalized for handball inside the penalty area, giving Celtic a lifeline.
It was Arne Engels who took a lifeline, only for his penalty to be wedged under Alexander Schwolo’s desperate dive. Engels’ spot-kick may have been a sobering blow, but the mission remained the same for Hearts, who were in the driver’s seat as they looked to end their fairytale campaign with the title.
Lawrence Shankland briefly put Hearts ahead in the first half with a header (Image: Ian MacNicol)
Celtic went wild after the break, searching in vain for a goal to turn the tables between the two teams. Engels came close to scoring with a late free kick. Kelechi Iheanacho, who came on as a substitute at half-time, came even closer to goal and his shot hit the post.
In the final 10 minutes Hearts’ goal was under siege. As the pressure started to build, Celtic came close again and again. However, just when it looked like Schwolo and Hearts’ defense would hold out, Maeda fired a dagger straight at the maroon heart.
Then, with Hearts desperately chasing an equaliser, hoping to create a final twist, Schworrow went for a final corner kick, allowing Celtic to run away and Callum Osmund score the decisive third goal.
As jubilant home fans rushed onto the pitch to celebrate, disturbing scenes ensued and players were escorted off the pitch. Then, after a period of confusion, it was time for the frenzied finale.
Hearts were broken after Glasgow’s monopoly, which had seen them become almost the first team outside Scotland’s most dominant footballing city to win the SPL since 1985, seemed to be coming to an end.
Another league title is on the line for Celtic and their legendary manager Martin O’Neill. And this will live long in the memory.
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