Hearts condemn – Hearts launched an angry response after a pitch-invasion at Celtic Park that they said “embarrassed Scottish football,” with Lawrence Shankland escorted away by police following confrontations. Celtic’s late surge delivered a 3-1 win to secure their 56th leagu
When the referee eventually allowed stoppage-time to play out at Celtic Park, Hearts thought the night could finally end with the title. With the score poised at 1-1 and just three minutes remaining, Derek McInnes’ side were preparing to be champions for the first time in 66 years.
Celtic, though, stole the finish in dramatic fashion.. Daizen Maeda struck to take the lead before Callum Osmand fired deep into stoppage-time to seal a 3-1 victory.. The decisive moment sparked an immediate collapse on the pitch as thousands of Celtic supporters stormed the field. leaving Hearts players goaded and targeted before they even had a chance to leave.
The scenes hit a personal flashpoint for Lawrence Shankland.. Hearts’ captain had been involved in the thick of the disorder after opening the scoring at Parkhead. and he was eventually led away by police after several Celtic supporters physically confronted him.. Hearts defender Frankie Kent was also confronted by a Celtic fan as the chaos spilled beyond the immediate goal area.
In a club statement. Heart of Midlothian condemned what it called “shameful scenes” at Celtic Park. saying they had “once again. embarrassed Scottish football.” The statement added that reports of “serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff. both on the pitch and elsewhere. are deeply disturbing. ” and confirmed the club was investigating fully while in dialogue with Police Scotland.
Hearts insisted they would “make no further comment at this time. ” but stressed that it was “completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation.” The club also pointed to confusion after Osmand’s strike. with there said to be 30 seconds left plus any further stoppages. yet the match was effectively stopped prematurely despite time remaining.
After the goal, Hearts players were ushered down the tunnel by police and security staff. On the advice of Police Scotland, and with fears for safety, the squad and staff left the stadium within 20 minutes of full-time still wearing their match kit.
The team bus was then given a police escort away from the ground because Celtic fans had already begun gathering outside and were seen taunting the visitors.. As a result, none of Hearts’ players or management were able to carry out post-match media duties.. The bus ride back to Edinburgh ended with a raucous ovation from Hearts supporters once it arrived.
In its statement. Hearts said: “Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium. our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately. without undertaking post-match media duties.” The club added that the pitch invasion created a “chaotic end” in which “nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish.”
Hearts also said the pitch invasion prevented players from taking the chance to thank their fans after the game.. The statement described those supporters as “sensational to a person” and said Hearts expected the “strongest action possible” from footballing authorities to protect player and supporter safety. and “the integrity of our game.”
Hearts finished by paying tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, saying none of them deserved the “disgraceful scenes that unfolded.” Police Scotland, Celtic, the SPFL and the SFA have all been approached for comment.
Hours later, the tensions shifted beyond Parkhead.. Thousands of Celtic supporters gathered again in the Trongate area. where Police Scotland clashed with yobs who threw glass bottles and other missiles.. Police Scotland said in an update that it was responding to disorder in the Trongate area of Glasgow. and that officers went into the crowd to assist with a medical emergency while faced with “significant levels of hostility. ” including bottles and other missiles thrown at them.. Police said decisive action was being taken to disperse those gathered and that. for safety reasons. members of the public were asked to leave the area.
In the middle of the night’s swing—from 1-1 with three minutes left to Celtic’s late goals for a 3-1 win—the sequence of events Hearts described followed the same pattern: the title was decided on the pitch. then supporters stormed it. and the match atmosphere carried on into the tunnel exit and the police-escorted departure within 20 minutes of full-time.
Hearts Celtic Scottish Premiership Celtic Park pitch invasion Lawrence Shankland Daizen Maeda Callum Osmand Frankie Kent Police Scotland Trongate disorder