According to Sky Sports, Celtic needed a win to leapfrog Hearts at the top of the table and secure a fifth consecutive league title. The result also saw the Glasgow giants move onto a record 56 top flight titles, surpassing Rangers.
Hearts had spent 250 days at the summit this season and looked on course to make history when Lawrence Shankland headed the visitors in front during the first half.
However, Celtic responded quickly after Alexandros Kyziridis handled Kieran Tierney’s cross inside the area. Arne Engels converted the resulting penalty to level matters before halftime.
The hosts dominated large periods of the second half but were repeatedly denied by Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, while Kelechi Iheanacho also struck the woodwork.
Celtic eventually found the breakthrough in the 87th minute when Daizen Maeda turned home Callum Osmand’s low cross. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before VAR overturned the decision.
Osmand then sealed the victory deep into stoppage time after Hearts pushed everyone forward in search of an equaliser.
The celebrations spilled onto the pitch at full time, although the scenes were overshadowed by controversy after Hearts later released a statement condemning what they described as a “disgraceful” pitch invasion. The Edinburgh club claimed players and staff were subjected to serious physical and verbal abuse following the match.
The title win completed a remarkable turnaround under O’Neill, who returned to the club with Celtic trailing Hearts by six points earlier in the campaign.
Speaking after the game, the veteran manager praised the mentality of his squad after they won seven straight league matches to clinch the title.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor also reflected on the achievement, admitting many had written the team off earlier in the season.
The Hoops could still complete a domestic double when they face Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final on 23 May.
Photo: REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
