Celtic 3-1 Hearts: Martin O'Neill's side crowned Scottish Premiership champions on final day as Jambos miss out on historic title
Martin O'Neill's Celtic beat Hearts 3-1 on the final day of the Scottish Premiership campaign to win a fifth consecutive title; Hoops have now won a record 56 top-flight titles, surpassing Rangers; Hearts had led the league for 250 days but finished second, two points behind the champions
Saturday 16 May 2026 15:34, UK
Celtic have been crowned Scottish Premiership champions after beating Hearts 3-1 in a dramatic final-day title decider.
Martin O'Neill's side knew only a victory would do if they were to leapfrog Hearts, who had been top for 250 days, and they got just that thanks to two late goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand to get them over the line.
Amid a season of chaos, fan protests and managerial departures, the Parkhead club showed why they have been Scotland's dominant force over the past decade - with this being their 14th top-flight crown in 15 seasons.
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The 74-year-old O'Neill returned to guide the club through choppy waters, having taken over with Celtic six points off the summit - but ending the campaign two points clear of the Jambos.
With one trophy in the bag, O'Neill is just 90 minutes away from guiding Celtic to a domestic double with the Scottish Cup final on May 23 against former captain Neil Lennon's Dunfermline.
How did Celtic seal another title?
Lawrence Shankland was left unmarked to head in the opener at the back post as chants of "we shall not be moved" erupted in the away end.
But there was of course drama to come.
A Kieran Tierney cross was stopped by the arm of Alexandros Kyziridis and referee Don Robertson pointed to the penalty spot.
Arne Engels stepped up and fired low under the diving Alexander Schwolow as an unbelievable title race took another twist.
Hearts lost Beni Baningime and Pierre Landry Kabore to injury as Celtic dominated possession and piled on the pressure after the break.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho hit the post and Schwolow pulled off brilliant saves to deny Benjamin Nygren and Maeda.
Then in the 87th minute, Celtic found their breakthrough.
Maeda forced in Osmand's low cross, only for the offside flag to go up. However VAR intervened to overturn the decision with replays clearly showing Osmand was onside before receiving the ball to tee up Maeda.
With Hearts then chasing an equaliser, Schwolow came up for a set-piece but it came to nothing and Osmand broke clear to tap a third into the empty net as the fans burst out of the stands and onto the pitch.
Celtic were champions again.
O'Neill: Players have given me a reason to live!
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill on Sky Sports:
"The players and coaching staff have given me a reason to live! That's not to say my family haven't! But this is the most special place on earth.
"When there is unison in this stadium it is a sight to behold and obviously the players have been magnificent, optimised by the captain but we could not have won it without the supporters.
"I had a great team back then. That team won their matches for me and this is exactly what this team has done, they've won the games for me.
"Celtic today, when there is unison in the stadium, it's rocking. And they never give up. Maybe I did, but they didn't.
"I'm never sure about momentum because that can change in an instant. People kept saying we had momentum and we were striding hard. If you'd asked me before we played Rangers, would I take it into the final day? I would've bitten your arm off. So, we did it here. If Hearts had gone and got the result we couldn't have done any more. We put our heart and soul into the games.
"We made plenty of mistakes but there is plenty of courage in the team. I'm not talking about physical courage but mental courage which has carried us over the line."
Sutton: O'Neill's biggest success | Will he do another season?
Sky Sports' Chris Sutton at Celtic Park:
"It's all about Martin O'Neill, magic Martin. How he has turned this around, I couldn't tell you.
"Celtic have stuttered and spluttered this season but Martin has got the old Honda Civic roaring again. When it mattered, a magnificent seven wins on the trot to take Celtic over the line.
"You wouldn't be human if you didn't sympathise with Hearts, they have had a magnificent season. They have been top and held their own all the way.
"This may be Martin O'Neill's biggest ever success in management. When Celtic lost away at Dundee United, O'Neill said they needed to win every game.
"There wasn't a supporter in the country who thought this Celtic team were capable of that.
"Will Martin do another season? The job he's done not once, but twice.
"He's looked absolutely knackered, but to get the team to this point. If he wants to, why wouldn't you give him the job?
"In end the best team wins the league and Celtic have found a way under Martin O'Neill and it is absolutely incredible.
"You heard him talking after Dundee United that they had to win every game but the performances weren't there. But there is something about digging deep and finding ways.
"Today they weren't great again. Maeda - what a strange season he's had but towards the end he's come good. He's like Maradona again!"
McGregor: Everyone wrote us off
Celtic captain Callum McGregor on Sky Sports:
"For the first time ever. I'm speechless! You can see what it means to everyone. What a season, down and out, everyone wrote us off and it is only because of what happens inside this building that special things can happen.
"We knew we'd get a chance. We keep going and going. What a special group of people.
"Magical."
The record books have been rewritten
Before kick-off, the big question was whether Hearts could become the first non-Old Firm club to become champions since 1960. By the end, it is Celtic who have once again rewritten the record books.
Since 1930, Rangers had more league titles to their name, but in recent years that gap had narrowed, before Celtic drew level on 55 last season. Now, they lead that race on their own with 56.
It has been a generation of domination, with the Hoops winning the league 20 times compared to Rangers' six since 2000.
The bragging rights well and truly belong to Celtic.
Vote: Who was key for the champions?
Concerns over form. Frustration over recruitment. Celtic fans were worried in the summer and during January over those who did, or didn't, come through the doors at Parkhead.
However, they did have players in the building who could deliver. They did deliver.
Daizen Maeda perhaps didn't hit the heights of last season, but he delivered when it mattered on the final day. That winner was his seventh league goal in the final month of the campaign, having netted just as many during the rest of it. Benjamin Nygren also racked up 16 goals and five assists in the Premiership.
Returning Kieran Tierney also had doubters amid fitness concerns but a total of 14 goal contributions has made him a key figure both in defence and going forward. Kelechi Iheanacho has had fitness issues of his own, having not played for four months prior to his move to Glasgow, which came following the summer window. Eight of his 12 appearances have been from the bench - but four of his five goals have been late winners, turning five points into 15.
Then, there's leader Callum McGregor. It takes a certain mentality to win the title - he's done it 11 times now and five as captain. He might not have been at his best, but he's led by example.
Hyun-Jun Yang played his part too with 10 goal contributions, James Forrest became the first player to win 14 Scottish top-flight titles, the list goes on. Vote for your standout player below.
