Celtic have issued an apology to Hearts following the chaotic scenes that marred the end of Saturday's Scottish Premiership title decider at Celtic Park. Two late goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand secured the championship in dramatic fashion, but the aftermath was overshadowed by a pitch invasion and disorder.
Pitch Invasion and Alleged Assaults
After Osmand's stoppage-time goal, hundreds of Celtic fans stormed the pitch, confronting Hearts players. Police Scotland confirmed they are in dialogue with Hearts to determine if any players were assaulted. The Hearts team bus required a police escort to leave the stadium, and further violence erupted in Glasgow city centre.
Celtic admitted there was no justification for the behaviour and pledged full cooperation with investigations. In a statement, the club said: 'The club regrets that our victory over Hearts was followed by a number of individuals entering the field of play... We also apologise to Hearts for the situation encountered by their players and staff.'
SPFL Confirms Match Ended, Not Abandoned
The SPFL clarified that referee Don Robertson signalled the end of the match, dismissing claims it was abandoned early. Despite around 30 seconds of stoppage time remaining, the final whistle was blown after Osmand's goal. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill noted the fourth official indicated there was still a minute left, but the match was concluded.
An SPFL statement condemned the pitch invasion, stating: 'Supporters entering the field of play in any circumstances is wholly unacceptable and puts those participating and working at a match at risk.' They urged anyone with information to contact Police Scotland.
Police and Government Response
Police Scotland reported four arrests at the stadium and ten in the Trongate area, where fans clashed with officers. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland condemned the disorder, noting two officers were seriously injured after being attacked with missiles. He called for greater responsibility from Celtic and football authorities to prevent future incidents.
A Scottish Government spokesperson described the violence as 'disgraceful' and 'completely unacceptable,' supporting Police Scotland's robust response. They noted a recent consultation on updating Football Banning Orders to tackle disorder.
