Celtic are Premiership champions after a dramatic final-day comeback against Hearts at Celtic Park sealed Martin O’Neill’s return with another league title.
For long spells Celtic struggled to break Hearts down. Derek McInnes’ side defended their box well and carried enough threat on the counter attack to keep Celtic nervous right into the closing stages.
The game turned just before the break.
Kieran Tierney’s cross struck Kyziridis inside the box and after a VAR review Celtic were awarded a penalty. Arne Engels stepped up in stoppage time and although Schwolow got a hand to the effort, the ball squeezed underneath him to level the match.
O’Neill changed the game with his substitutions after half-time.
Kelechi Iheanacho immediately gave Celtic more control higher up the pitch while James Forrest added urgency down the flank. Then came Callum Osmand.
The young striker stretched Hearts with his running in behind and nearly got through moments after coming on. As the game opened up late on, Hearts began to tire and Celtic finally found space around the box.
Daizen Maeda delivered the moment that changed the title race in the 88th minute. Osmand burst into the area and drilled the ball across goal before Maeda forced it home from close range. The linesman initially flagged for offside before VAR overturned the decision, sending Celtic Park into chaos.
There was still time for one more twist.
With Hearts throwing everybody forward deep into stoppage time, Osmand raced clear into an empty half and rolled the ball into the net to make it 3-1. Supporters flooded onto the pitch before the final whistle had even sounded.
Just weeks ago Celtic looked out of the race after the defeat at Tannadice. O’Neill insisted his side needed to win every remaining game and somehow they did exactly that.
By the end, Celtic Park had completely lost itself.
