Hearts forced – Hearts say a “menacing and threatening atmosphere” at Celtic Park forced their staff to leave immediately after their match, with the club condemning the scenes and calling for the strongest action to protect the integrity of the game. The SPFL will not commen
Hearts’ staff left Celtic Park immediately after their match, describing the atmosphere inside the stadium as “deeply disturbing” and “completely unacceptable” after the pitch was invaded in the moments following a third goal.
In a statement from the Edinburgh club. 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 apologised to its media partners. adding that “the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.”
Hearts also raised confusion over whether the match had been brought to a finish. pointing to the timing of the supporters’ actions.. “Nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish. ” the statement said. explaining that Celtic fans entered the field in the immediate aftermath of the third goal while time still “notionally left to play.”
The incident comes after a separate wave of pitch invasion violence involving clubs in Glasgow. Hearts said the latest event follows “fans of both Celtic and Rangers” invading the pitch after the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
Looking ahead. Hearts said it “expect[s] the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities” to protect “the integrity of our game.” The club added that this season has seen Hearts “capture the imagination of football fans. not only in Scotland but the world over. ” and paid tribute to Derek McInnes. his staff. the first team and the supporters.. “We pay tribute to Derek McInnes. his staff. the first team and the supporters. who have done the club proud this season.. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.”
The SPFL said it would make no comment on the post-match scenes until it had seen the match delegate’s report. Still, it is believed that the match officials confirmed that the full-time whistle was blown before players left the field.
The sequence of events described by Hearts ties the pitch invasion timing to the uncertainty over whether the game had finished. and that same window is presented as the reason their staff did not wait for post-match duties.. They cite Celtic fans entering right after the third goal with time “notionally left to play. ” while also pointing to the “menacing and threatening atmosphere” that left them with “no alternative” but to leave immediately.
For now, the league’s stance remains to withhold comment pending the delegate’s report, while Hearts continues to press for action it says is needed to safeguard the sport’s integrity.
Hearts Celtic Park pitch invasion match delegate report SPFL Derek McInnes Scottish Cup Ibrox Rangers Celtic