Celtic beat Hearts on final day and win Scottish Premiership title as fans invade pitch in celebration

Hearts fans celebrate win as Celtic title race goes to wire

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PA

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 16/05/2026

- 14:36

Updated: 16/05/2026

- 15:49

Hearts were just 11 minutes away from winning the title

Celtic have beaten Hearts 3-1 on the final day with last-minute goals from Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand to win the Scottish Premiership title as fans invaded the pitch.

Maeda finished from close range past Alexander Schwolow to send the home fans ballistic after a VAR check for offside, while Osmand slotted into an empty net after the German went forward for a last-gasp free kick.


Hearts, who were on course to win their first league title since 1960, will be licking their wounds, with a repeat of 1965, when they lost on the final day to Kilmarnock.

In a thrilling contest, the Jambos took the lead with Lawrence Shankland heading home at the far post, before being answered back by Arne Engels, who converted from 12 yards.

Celtic

Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership title with a dramatic late-winner

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GETTY/REUTERS

Celtic

Fans invaded the pitch as the game descended into chaos

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REUTERS

Daizen Maeda

Daizen Maeda was in tears of joy at full-time

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GETTY

Celtic battered Hearts in the second half, and their relentless pressure eventually paid dividends with Maeda and Osmand getting themselves on the scoresheet.

Martin O'Neill is the hero once again in the east end of Glasgow, stepping into the reign at Celtic Park and turning round a horror start to the season into a league title.

The game started with Celtic the better out of the two, taking the game to Hearts in front of the nearly 60,000-odd home fans.

Shankland had a small call for a penalty in the first five minutes, but it would have been very harsh against the home side, should referee Don Robertson have pointed to the spot.

Some brave defensive work by Michael Steinwender in the opening 13 minutes saw the Austrian pick up a nasty knock in the process, pulling up after a collision with Alistair Johnston, but was able to carry on.

Celtic

Osmand scored the last goal of the game to send the Celtic fans ballistic

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REUTERS

Pierre Kabore was causing Auston Trusty one or two problems early doors, having his first shot from distance, which didn't trouble Vilijami Sinisalo in the Celtic goal.

Nygren nearly rolled through Maeda in on goal in the best move of the game so far for Celtic on minute 27, but the Swede's pass was just slightly overhit.

Sebastian Tounekti had the best chance of the first half hour but saw his long-range effort comfortably saved by Schwolow.

Johnston picked up the first yellow card of the game, which seemed inevitable with the Canadian flying himself into everything.

Jordi Altena had a go from distance after a nice Hearts move, but the Dutchman's effort would not be making the highlights reel.

Celtic fans

Fans stormed onto the pitch at full-time

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REUTERS

Frustration started to grow for Celtic, which eventually turned to despair, with Shankland in acres of space at the far post from a corner, heading home with no one around him.

The Hearts skipper showing up in the big moment as the Celtic faithful tried to find their voice again.

They soon did, after Kieran Tierney's cross into the penalty area was handballed by Alexandros Kiziridis.

Engels stepped up from the spot, converting past Schwolow to level things up heading into half-time as the home supporters sang their players down the tunnel with a thrilling 45 ahead.

Into the second half, which lasted merely three minutes for Beni Baningime, who pulled up with a hamstring injury, being replaced by Blair Spittal.

Nygren picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul on Kabore, giving Hearts a set piece in a favourable position, which Kiziridis blasted over the bar.

Hearts

It is heartbreak for the Jambos' supporters who came just 11 minutes from the league title

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REUTERS

Shankland spun a lovely ball in behind towards Kabore, but it was well cut out by Liam Scales as Celtic supporters grew ever more nervous with just half an hour to play.

Maeda came close with a header, but saw his effort go over the top of Schwolow's goal.

Frankie Kent produced a huge tackle to deny Celtic from flowing through on the Hearts' goal, but the home side's pressure continued to mount.

An excellent chance for Celtic eventually led to a free kick after Engels was fouled on the edge of the penalty area, which the Belgian ended up converting wide.

Kelechi Ihenacho came ever so close too, taking a fantastic touch forward before curling a beauty of a strike just off the frame of Schwolow's goal.

Celtic

Celtic have won their 56th Scottish Premiership title

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REUTERS

Nygren then had a drive towards Hearts' net, but Schwolow once again was in the way, as Celtic's relentless pressure continued.

That pressure finally turned to goals with Maeda finishing a lovely move, which after a VAR check, was given for the home side.

Osmand then compounded Hearts' misery as fans descended onto the pitch in celebration.

Scott Brown led out the trophy to present to his former side, as Celtic claimed their 56th Scottish Premiership title.