LIAM SCALES broke away from celebrating Celtic’s fifth successive title to express sympathy to vanquished Hearts.
The Edinburgh team led the Premiership for a huge percentage of an incredible crusade as they focused on their first championship success since 1960.
In many critics’ eyes, this was the season to end the misery and Derek McInnes took his side to Parkhead at the weekend with a one-point advantage over Martin O’Neill’s men who had carelessly tossed away TWELVE points during the chaotic 33-day reign of Wilfried Nancy.
O’Neill returned for a second interim period after the fumbling Frenchman got the boot on January 5.
The question remained, though, did Celtic possess the players of sufficient quality and character to claw their way back into the race.
BEFORE THE STORM…Derek McInnes and Martin O’Neill shake hands on the touchline.
O’Neill, his backroom staff and Callum McGregor and Co provided the answer with seven straight wins culminating with their 3-1 triumph over the Tynecastle team who had remained top of the league until the 87th minute and Daizen Maeda’s strike for the second goal.
Hearts were on the floor when Callum Osmand ran half the length of the pitch to roll the ball into an empty net which had been vacated by keeper Alexander Schwolow who had gone into the opposition penalty area for a free-kick.
As the ball nudged the back of the net, crown No.56 was in the bag.
Asked if he had a degree of sympathy for the Edinburgh side, Scales answered: “Definitely, 100 per cent. They worked incredibly hard this year and are a tough side with good players throughout their team.
“They clicked this year and got a lot of things right. They will obviously feel hard done by having been top of the league for such a large proportion of the season, but we can’t dwell on that. I’m sure they won’t.
“They will bounce back. I am sure we will see the same next season.
“You have got to know that, outside of the Celtic support and the entire Celtic family, the whole world wanted Hearts to win this title.
FLAG HAPPY…Liam Scales enjoyed an “amazing” title triumph.
“If we weren’t able to block that out, I think it would have been very difficult.
“Everyone was rooting for the other side, as I would have been if I had been on the other side. That is part of football.
“It would have been an amazing story for them. I think that was key for us — to block out that noise, focus on our performances and get back to our best form towards the end of the season.”
There is much to do for the champions in the summer and the Republic of Ireland international defender is clear the vision must be to strengthen the squad who will be prepared for the Champions League play-off in early August to get the club back competing at the highest level.
Looking ahead to the rigours that await in the new campaign, Scales, speaking to the Daily Mail, said: “It is hard to predict. Motherwell away was the most difficult away game this season.
“They were incredible the way they played. Maybe they didn’t pick up as many points as they deserved. The way they played meant they conceded goals at times that other sides wouldn’t.
“They were the most difficult team to play against, though, and they weren’t even in the picture.
“It is such an unpredictable league. All of us, the Rangers guys, we are all going to be motivated to come back next year and be better. It will definitely be interesting to see.”
FAIRYTALE OF PARADISE…the Martin O’Neill banner says it all.
Despite losing eight league games, Scales continued: “I really thought all along we would get back into it and hit form at the right time and win it.
“A lot of people in the dressing room believed that, as well. That is what pushed us on to actually do it.
“There was never a feeling of being out of it.
“It has been an amazing season to be a part of. Obviously, at times, we weren’t at our best and that is what let Hearts in, I suppose.
“In the last few years, when we were at our best, we had it wrapped up early on.
“Credit to them. They pushed us to the last minute on the last day, so it is tough for them, but it is an incredible high for us.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt that before in football. It was amazing.”
The back-four performer, 27, brought to Parkhead by Ange Postecoglou from Shamrock Rovers in the summer of 2021, admitted he will always cherish working with 74-year-old O’Neill.
TWO FOR THE TITLE…Callum Osmand, followed by Kelechi Iheanacho, celebrates Celtic’s third goal after both players had been introduced by Martin O’Neill in the second-half.
Scales added: “I have loved every minute of it. He put his trust in me early on and I felt that through both spells. I felt like he has trusted me, I felt like I was a foot taller going out on that pitch because of that.
“His man management has been incredible. In key moments in key games, he makes great decisions, great substitutions.
“He brought Kelechi Iheanacho on at half-time on Saturday and then brought on Callum Osmand, who hasn’t played for months and he scores.
“These decisions have defined our season.”
Scales and his team-mates, ably led by O’Neill, now have the opportunity to bring down the curtain by completing the league and Cup double when they take on Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup showpiece at Hampden on Saturday.
WHAT CELTIC NEED TO DO: O’NEILL SPELLS IT OUT
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