Martin O’Neill believes Celtic’s remarkable title comeback has been overshadowed by what he views as an excessive backlash to the pitch invasion following Saturday’s dramatic win over Hearts.
The interim Celtic boss has already faced repeated questioning about the chaotic scenes at Celtic Park during appearances on talkSPORT this week, with much of the post-match discussion centring around supporters entering the field after Callum Osmand’s stoppage-time goal sealed the Premiership title.
Police Scotland and the SPFL continue to investigate the incident after Hearts claimed some of their players and staff were assaulted or intimidated amid the disorder.
But O’Neill clearly feels the wider reaction has completely taken attention away from what he considers one of Celtic’s greatest achievements in recent years.
Speaking to Celtic TV, the 74-year-old argued the narrative around the title race had increasingly become one where neutrals desperately wanted Hearts to prevail.
He said:
“There’s no question it’s been lost.
“Outside our supporters, outside us, outside the diaspora, everybody wanted Hearts to win.
“So there was just this… what shall I say… just an incredible anti-feeling about us winning it, and so that didn’t become the story.
“The story became the fans coming onto the pitch to celebrate as if it’s never happened before, and yeah, and just downright skullduggery on our part to actually take the win away from Hearts.
“So Hearts have been brilliant all season, and let’s remind ourselves about that there, but we won it, and sometimes I have to remind myself that we did do it.”
O’Neill’s comments continue a growing war of words surrounding the aftermath of the title decider.
Hearts have already released a strongly-worded statement criticising what they described as “highly irresponsible comments” made publicly this week, comments widely interpreted as being directed towards O’Neill following his defence of supporters during his talkSPORT interview.
Despite the controversy, Celtic’s comeback remains extraordinary.
After trailing Hearts for much of the campaign, enduring managerial chaos and twice turning back to O’Neill to rescue the season, the Hoops somehow produced seven straight league wins to snatch the title away on the final afternoon.
