Celtic’s title win over Hearts has been overshadowed by the post-match scenes, but journalist Mark Guidi has moved to shut down “a convenient narrative.”
There were scenes of jubilation inside Celtic Park on Saturday as Callum Osmand tapped the ball into an empty net to secure a 3-1 win over Hearts and ensure the league title was Celtic’s once more.
The pitch invasion which ensued has brought much media attention, rightfully so if assaults did occur as suggested.
But for Guidi, chief football writer at the Sunday Mail, the scenes at Celtic Park have led to a “pile on” from some without real evidence.
A meeting took place on Monday, with the Hearts club chair in attendance to hear the contents of the audio. But the SFA were compelled to release the dialogue between the referee and those in the VAR room after further statements questioning the conclusion of the match.
Speaking on Go Radio, Guidi said:
“Count me out of the pile on, unless there’s evidence. The pile on from Hearts and the pile on from many of my colleagues in the media and other outlets in terms of having a go at Celtic.
“100% the fans shouldn’t have been on the pitch, and they shouldn’t be goading and confronting Hearts players, Lawrence Shankland, anybody else. I’m not for that. I wasn’t for it on Saturday, and I never will be.
“But then it went to a different level about being assaulted, that’s serious. But to the best of my knowledge, assaults haven’t taken place.”
Guidi points to the evidence that he is currently subject to, and questions the stories which the media have run with in the days since the match took place.
“But it was a narrative created in Saturday afternoon after the game, and a lot of the media went with it, which kind of surprised me.
“If evidence comes out, and I say throw the book at whoever’s guilty, and the police need to deal with it, Celtic need to deal with it. Ban these people.
“But I just think there’s been a convenient narrative created and I think Celtic have been piled into and at this moment in time, with the evidence that I’m aware of, and the evidence that has been put in front of us by Celtic, Hearts and now the SFA, I think it’s been very very, parts of it have been very very unfair.
“But to go back to the point, the Celtic fans should not have come on the pitch and for me, they kind of spoiled the occasion.”
🗣”It’s clear as day, fair play to the SFA for explaining that”
Charlie Mulgrew and Mark Guidi react to the Scottish FA releasing the referee audio from the end of Celtic vs Hearts on Saturday.
In association with Scottish Gas pic.twitter.com/810LC1SgQX
— The Go Radio Football Show (@GoFootballShow) May 21, 2026
He is clear in condemning the pitch invasion. Players should feel safe on the field of play, and fans should know not to spill on in the moment they did, regardless of how high the stakes are in a match.
But Guidi highlights the narrative that has taken centre stage, one which Martin O’Neill himself has questioned.
Preparations are underway as Celtic look to end the season with a league and cup double, with a Scottish Cup showdown with Dunfermline at Hampden awaiting on Saturday.
The on-pitch matters are all he will be concerned about, but the off-pitch drama is likely to continue to dominate headlines.
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One Response
The Scottish Mainstream Media peddled lies, knowing them to be lies.
They are now no different to Trump et al., and can never be taken seriously again.
Shameful.
That is their legacy.