Celtic Clinch Scottish Premiership Title As Maeda And Osmand Deliver Victory

Celtic secured the Scottish Premiership title with a 3-1 comeback win over Hearts at Celtic Park, clinching a fifth successive league crown. Late goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand overturned Lawrence Shankland’s opener in a match shaped by a disputed handball penalty awarded to Arne Engels.

The result denied Hearts a historic success after leading the table for most of the campaign. Martin O’Neill’s side instead finished top, capitalising on Kelechi Iheanacho’s earlier controversial winner against Motherwell, which had set up this decisive final clash between the two title rivals.

Hearts drew first blood on 43 minutes when captain Lawrence Shankland met Stephen Kingsley’s corner with a powerful header. Celtic’s response arrived quickly, yet it came from a decision that angered the visitors, as Alexandros Kyziridis was judged to have handled inside the area under pressure.

From the spot, Arne Engels drove his penalty under Alexander Schwolow to level before half-time. That decision became a key talking point, with Hearts players protesting strongly. The award also extended a wider pattern, as Celtic’s tally of handball penalties this league season moved to a divisional high.

The second half unfolded with Celtic pushing relentlessly, backed by a loud home crowd. Kelechi Iheanacho rattled the frame of the goal, while Callum Osmand passed up two promising openings. Hearts struggled to regain control, dropping deeper as pressure mounted and clear chances for Derek McInnes’ team became rare.

The decisive moment arrived on 87 minutes when Osmand broke the defensive line and squared for Maeda. The assistant’s flag initially cut celebrations short for offside, but a VAR check overturned the decision, confirming Osmand’s perfectly timed run and handing Celtic the lead at a crucial stage.

Hearts then committed players forward searching for the equaliser that would have delivered the championship. From a late set-piece, Celtic cleared long, and Osmand sprinted clear into open space. With Schwolow stranded, Osmand rolled the ball into an empty net, sparking a pitch invasion from celebrating home supporters.

The outcome was harsh on a Hearts side that had occupied first place for 250 days and chased a fifth title, their first since 1960. A win would also have ended the Old Firm’s grip on the trophy, which now extends to 41 consecutive seasons, dating back to Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in 1985.

Key numbers underlined Celtic’s stronger finish, with expected goals showing 2.82 for the hosts against 0.96 for Hearts. The penalty call appeared severe, yet McInnes’ side failed to reassert control after the interval, while O’Neill’s team used their attacking pressure to decide a tense Scottish Premiership title showdown.