“Unjust” – Hearts’ Cammy Devlin on ‘Disappointing’ Celtic Park Loss

Cammy Devlin admits Hearts are still struggling to come to terms with the way the Premiership title slipped away on the final day at Celtic Park.

The midfielder has now spoken publicly for the first time since Hearts’ devastating 3-1 defeat to Celtic – a result which handed Martin O’Neill’s side the title after one of the most dramatic finales in recent Scottish football history.

For long spells that afternoon, Hearts looked destined to become champions.

Lawrence Shankland – who has since completed a move to Rangers – fired Hearts into the lead and even after Arne Engels equalised before half-time, Derek McInnes’ side continued defending superbly deep into the second half.

But everything unravelled late on.

Daizen Maeda finally broke Hearts resistance before Callum Osmand’s injury-time strike sparked chaotic celebrations inside Celtic Park as supporters flooded onto the pitch.

Now away with Australia on international duty, Devlin has opened up on just how painful the experience still feels.

Speaking to Football360, the Hearts midfielder admitted it remains the worst day of his career.

“It’s hard because it was the worst day in my career, in terms of how disappointing it was.

“Unjust is probably a word. We didn’t deserve that, how it ended and everything.

“On a positive side, the best thing for me is I’m lucky enough to come straight into a camp representing my country.

“That can change your mindset straight away and you have no choice rather than to get back and perform at your highest level.

“That’s been something really good. I feel so lucky I have that opportunity.

“I feel like if I didn’t have that and went on holiday or back home, it would be really baring on my mind every minute because of how disappointing it was.

“So lucky to get this opportunity. There’s no bigger carrot at the end of this, so to come in here and have something else to focus on is really good.

“But it was really tough the first couple of days, just because of how it all happened. Still, there’s so many thoughts of what could’ve been different, what should’ve been different. I know that’s a lot of feeling with the boys around Hearts, and everyone around the place.

“Really undeserving finish to an amazing season with such a special club. Everything we did and achieved was incredible.

“Still not over what happened. But to have this shirt on, and get the chance to train, represent my country and hopefully at the end of it, go to a World Cup. There’s no better thing to look forward to.”

Devlin’s contract at Hearts expires later this month and there remains uncertainty over his future after being one of the central figures in the club’s ultimately unsuccessful title challenge.