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O'Neill rejects claims pitch invasion embarrassed Celtic win

BBC Sport Football •
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Celtic clinched a fifth straight Scottish Premiership title after Callum Osmand struck in the 98th minute, making it 3-1 against Hearts. The late goal sparked a pitch invasion, with fans flooding the surface and Hearts players leaving in their kits, calling the atmosphere ‘menacing’. Celtic later apologised and pledged cooperation with police. Supporters, many in green, celebrated wildly as security scrambled.

Manager Martin O'Neill dismissed suggestions the incident embarrassed Scottish football, calling them “nonsense”. On Talksport he argued the final whistle effectively blew as the third goal went in and questioned why supporters should be singled out, noting similar celebrations occur at other clubs. He said he would review footage before passing judgment.

The SPFL awaits the match delegate’s report before deciding on any sanctions, while Glasgow police reported two officers injured and 14 arrests after related disorder in the city centre. The controversy also sparked debate among fans about stadium safety protocols. The episode adds a sour note to an otherwise dominant season for Celtic, whose league triumph solidifies their grip on Scottish football.