We anticipated a rollercoaster final game of the season, but goodness, no one could have imagined the dramatic a conclusion we got.
Just as they had against Newco six days earlier, then against Motherwell on Wednesday, Celtic conceded the first goal against Hearts and left their title hopes clinging by a thread. Until that goal in the 43rd minute, Hearts offered little more than resistance, as Celtic struggled to create a chance worthy of the name.
Celtic defend corner kicks with a mix of man-to-man; usually concentrating on the tall players who take up prime positions in front of goal, and zonal; flooding the prime spots in front of goal where players are most likely to score from.
Lawrence Shankland made a run to the back post from a low-risk area and with his run, was able to evade Alistair Johnston. When Viljami Sinisalo came for and missed the cross, Shankland was favourite and finished excellently.
With the middle of the park proving impossible to penetrate, Celtic made their crucial breakthrough down the left. Sebastian Tounekti played-in the overlapping Kieran Tierney, whose cross met the arm of the unfortunate Kyziridis. Referee Don Robertson initially pointed for a corner kick, but within a second changed his mind to award the penalty.
Arne Engels will hit better penalties and not convert them. It is a worry for another day that our competence from the spot does not seem nailed down, for now, none of that mattered as Hearts ‘keeper Schwolow dived over the shot. A delicious twist of irony was added to the equaliser, as it occurred in the fourth minute of four added before the interval, after Hearts players twice required play to stop during the first half for physio treatment.
With Celtic’s ‘Get out of Jail’ card played, Martin O’Neill made the first of his big substitution decisions at halftime. Kelechi Iheanacho always improves Celtic when he comes on. Always. He is by far the best player in Scottish football and with Daizen Maeda moving left, Celtic began to dominate proceedings for the first time in the game.
With Hearts clearly flagging and sitting ever-deeper, the goal always looked like coming, however, I got worried when Martin made his second big substitution decision. As he hooked Auston Trusty for Callum Osmand with 17 minutes of the game left, it indicated the manager was making a gamble he was not entirely comfortable with. This was the first time he had gone three at the back at Celtic – since 2005 anyway – and was a formation I thought we had seen the last of when Wilfried Nancy departed. It clearly played a significant role in our French manager’s downfall.
Osmand had not even featured on the bench in over six months. His appearance as a sub was a surprise in itself. In his career to date, he had played only 94 minutes of senior football across three substitute appearances. You would be forgiven for thinking, ‘Desperate stuff’. But you would be wrong.
Osmand’s final act will take all the headlines but his most telling contribution was his timed run (while over a yard onside) and perfect cross for Daizen Maeda to give Celtic the lead in the 88th minute. For a player dismissed as “Miles off it” by an earlier manager, but championed by Shaun Maloney and the rest of the coaching staff to Martin O’Neill, as soon as Irishman arrived for his first stint in charge this season, Callum was outstanding. We have a genuinely exciting 20-year-old on our hands.
Marcelo Saracchi came on at the same time as Osmand and played a pivotal role in the second Celtic goal, his directness in possession was exactly what was required that late in the game, that late in the season. The script was written for the man of the moment and Daizen Maeda was not about to let the occasion pass.
When he saw Osmand head towards the byline, Daizen moved away from him to create space in which to attack the coming cross. The goal was an instant of ecstasy for Celtic fans worldwide, which was frustrated by a bizarre offside flag which was correctly overruled by VAR. Ecstasy resumed when Don Robertson pointed to the centre spot and I am not sure it will ever end. We may now have to live with being permanently ecstatic.
Sky Sports had its greatest moment since the “Agueroooooooo” goal in2012. Hearts fans distraught at getting to the 88th minute of the final game of the season as champions-elect, only to see their hopes destroyed. Celtic fans, who had not seen their side top of the table since September, now believing, “It’s happening!!” Life in all its joys and tortures was there, beamed around the world for gasping audiences.
All that was left was the most incredible end to a season ever recorded, more so than that 2012 win by Manchester City. There was one minute on the clock when Callum McGregor conceded a free kick 40 yards from the Celtic goal. Derek McInnes told Schwolow to leave his goal and get into the Celtic box. When the resultant kick was knocked out the box, every Celtic player pushed out, seven Hearts players, stood still. That caused the most overwhelming overload you will ever see. Iheanacho, McGregor, James Forrest, the referee and Callum Osmand were all ahead of the nearest Hearts player. It was indeed happening. Celebrating this goal was the most fantastic experience. The outcome was inevitable six seconds before it happened; allowing us the most delicious anticipation of pleasure known to man. You just don’t get this at a football game.
1986, 1988, 1998 and 2017 are the most iconic seasons I have experienced. It’s too early to know if this tops the lot; recency bias, and all that. But today, it feels like it does. We were so low, so often. So many late, late, goals. Behind in our last three games with no space to drop points.
The brilliant game against Newco just over a week ago with one of the greatest goals we have ever seen. The even-more outstanding game against Motherwell, conceding in the 85th minute, then its momentous conclusion. Finally, the Hearts game that won the title. Scoring with literally the last kick of the ball in the final two games of the season – and I don’t recall that happening once before in my Celtic supporting life.
Scottish football outdid itself this season, credit to Falkirk, St Mirren, Hibernian and Motherwell for their playing style, to Newco for their recovery and coming so close after Russell Martin, and, of course, to Hearts. Derek McInnes’ reaction to our entirely-legitimate penalty at Motherwell, or on Saturday, might cloud your judgement on this, but football does things to people. To McInnes, to you and to me.
Most of all, congratulations to Martin O’Neill, his team of winners, to Celtic Football Club and the supporters who inspired them to historic greatness.
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Email from the Collective….
Evening all,
Hope everyone had a great weekend celebrating a historic win. While the focus should rightly remain on the team’s success, we’re conscious of some of the escalating rhetoric emerging in the media.
In response, we’ll be sharing the below statement on social media this evening.
Over the last 10 days, we have had a clear reminder of just how badly some people in Scotland did not want Celtic to win the league. We have seen a carefully curated list of refereeing decisions held up as evidence of conspiracy, while several dreadful decisions given against Celtic in recent weeks have been omitted from discussion.
Celtic won the league because key players delivered big moments, the support stood by the team, and because a winning mentality carried us over the line. Hearts lost the league not because of a correct penalty decision in a match they were not playing in, but because they won only one of their last seven away games.
Now the focus has shifted to Celtic supporters celebrating on the pitch. People are entitled to take a critical view of pitch incursions, and they are not something to encourage, but the reaction to this has again been overblown and disproportionate. Vague claims of violence and disorder, without clear evidence or specific allegations, only add to the sense that there is a determination to discredit an incredible title win.
The main focus should be on Martin O’Neill and his team, who deserve enormous credit for winning the league under incredibly challenging and unlikely circumstances.
Celtic are champions for the 56th time.
That is the story.
While a galvanised and unified Celtic support basks in the glory of becoming Champions again, the usual suspects’ tears and tantrums will last long into the summer.
Many thanks,
Back to Basics,
Just lifted this quote from that BBC article…
“Another street celebration is expected this weekend after the Celtic and Rangers game to decide the winner of the Scottish Cup”
Suzanne Miller the Chief Exec was quoted on Friday as saying that she did not recognise the Police statement that Celtic did not come up with proposals for after match celebrations,this was also included in a report on the BBC Scotland news website, bye the way Saturday might bring another trophy and no doubt more celebrations, has it bypassed the brains of the intelligensia?
So McInnes surfaces and its after getting Manager of the Year.
Absolute joke.
Martin O’Neill just won the league in about half a season, is hopefully going to complete the double and that would probably have been a treble if he hadn’t been taken out of action for the Nancy experiment.
Martin destroyed you McInnes.
Just watched some of The Scottish Football Social Club.
Poor Micheal Stewart completely lost the plot and started ranting and raving like a lunatic.
It really was quite funny.
He believes the outcome of the entire 38 game season can be distilled down to one decision – the penalty Celtic got at Fir Park.
He’s really hurting😂😂
A psuedo intellectual is Nevin,made a living out of it for years
And yer other team.
Fek them all,the Media,Hearts,their fans,their agony and tears are wonderful.
FF,still awaiting a 3 point deduction,eagerly.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.Shh,dont tell them.
As one delirious kid who defied his Uncle,and ran onto the pitch in Lisbon,I have not a morsel of condemnation for those who did on Saturday.A once in a lifetime ending.Lap it up.
The hypocrisy from the Rags is astonishing,even for them.Remember the Tartan Army,wee scamps,invading Wembulee,and taking parts of the goalposts back to Scotland !!!!!!!.Invasions too numerous to mention have occurred throughout the game.Was being discussed on Talksport,whilst on the same weekend,thousands partying on the pitch at Ipswich,not a cheep,from anyone’.
Not for a minute do I believe most of Scotland wanted Hearts to win.In the central belt,yes our media and the scum did,in Edinburgh Hearts fans.The rest,could not give a monkeys.Not their team,dont care.Not Hibs fans.Lastly,a word for the three scum supporting Referees who did the unthinkable,and gave decisions,in the last week,I would,in their shoes,never have given them.It would have been easy for them not to.
Scaniel on 18th May 2026 6:41 pm
Must fess up here……I’m no longer a person of faith, but with 10-15 minutes to go I remembered a post from a couple of years ago from BRTH extolling the virtues of Queen of the May – 🎼 Bring flowers of the rarest…🎼 .. most people will know the one.
I couldn’t get it out of my mind, but neither could I remember the words – so I googled them including:
Thy love and protection, Sweet Mother, to win; In danger defend us, In sorrow befriend us, And shield our hearts From contagion and sin
Started singing lyrics to myself in my isolated bubble. Now, take what you like from that, but I took it as having a win and defending it against the sinful Hearts – bit of a stretch, I know, but hey-ho! Anyway, guess what happens next: Tequila Maeda and The Three Amigos!!! Only right that I have a wee trip up to Brother Walfrid’s grave and thank him for giving us such a wonderful gift. Enjoy, Enjoy, fellow Celts.
*an ould favourite of mine which I often post in May, including this year
“For it is the month of Mary, The lovely month of May”
“Bring flowers of the fairest
Bring flowers the rarest,
From garden and woodland and hillside and dale;
Our full hearts are swelling,
Our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest flower of the Vale!
O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today!
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.
O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.”
Pumped them out of the 2 cups and destroyed their title ‘challenge’
I don’t usually associate Michael Stewart with ranting but I witnessed him almost apoplectic after the penalty at Motherwell. I presume he is a Hearts fan first and last and doesn’t usually have to let that prejudice his judgement. Sorry, Michael, but imo, it was a stonewaller.
Told this before
Nevins Mother used to sit with mines in St Jude’s every Sunday.Walking back from Mass,talking,she would say” Family coming today for Sunday dinner.I hope that wee Nyaff is not coming”
Really bad when your Mother does not like you.
Personally I thought the script was complete when at the game it was announced that Celtic would be sporting the National Famine Remembrance badge on the hoops.
Somebody was writing the script with a winner a couple of minutes from the end.
If Celtic was a fairytale……………………
Michael Stewart has got enough credit in my bank to be hurting like hell.
I would be as well.Who on here would not be if it was us?.
Parkheadcumsalford on 18th May 2026 8:42 pm
I actually followed michael stewart’s career when he was with manure, same as I did with any young Scottish player, who signed him after he had been a youth player with r1ngers, he was seen as the next roy keane but loaned out tae Nottingham Forest and then hertz who actually let him go so when he was allowed to leave he actually signed for the hibbees who after 2 years let him go, in between all this he spent 2 weeks at steptoe park but they turned him down and then roker park, under roy keane, where the same thing happened, he then moved again to his allegedly boyhood side but after 3 years at swinecastle he was mutually consented where he went to turkey and then the valley for a season each, he was seen as a couldbe player as in could have been a player.
Butland offski.
Theres a good few goals against chalked up already.
Celtic are 2 weeks away from developing nuclear weapons says the Scottish/UK/Eire/etc fake news media….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70vr4yzrngo
Pep chucks Citeh
I said it on here anti my mates,who said I was a bit previous,after his goal against the Huns in the Cup,but not because of it,but from watching his time on the park before,Calum Osman,is our next £25 million + player.Boy has everything.Pedigree,speed,brain,intelligence,finishing.The full package.Should be a certain starter next season.
Goodnight all.
“Jack But and has sent a heartfelt message,as a move away from Rangers is confirmed”
How would you reads that headline?.Turns out its a disgraceful clickbait from a Hun rag
😑😑😑😑😑😑😑
TONTIME TIM at 8:38
Yes, that’s the one. It’s now hardwired onto what little of a brain I have left. Very evocative.
Scaniel on 18th May 2026 9:23 pm
TONTINE TIM at 8:38 Yes, that’s the one. It’s now hardwired onto what little of a brain I have left. Very evocative.
*Believe me they never really leave you, I go to meetings a couple of Tuesdays a month up in the pineapple, they now have devotions before it and recently have been singing Tantum Ergo, I found myself joining in even though its in Latin, huvnae sung that for over 60 years.
Good night you old duffers. Cup final and glory awaits again. 👍
https://x.com/i/status/2056394224736563261
out of touch all day just back in
the phone is were hilarious.
did celtic go and win the league again.
bastards
https://x.com/i/status/2056417668366766585
$60 Million Dollars per day NASA gets of American people’s Taxes to lie there erchies off about Moon Men, Space Ships, etc. lol
https://xcancel.com/BrockRiddickIFB/status/1999864465957990818#m
Celtic are champions
Still buzzin’
Oh the outrage.
Now trotting out two paragons of probity named George Foulkes and Gordon Smith.
Scraping the bottom of the barrel so hard their fingernails are broken right down to their wrists
https://i0.wp.com/sentinelcelts.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-18-214305-1779137073.1697.png?fit=%2C&ssl=1
i wont believe anything until Keith Wyness has told us what really happened.
Tontine Tim @ 9.02
I always.gave Michael Stewart the benefit of the doubt regarding his opinions on football matters ,as I always thought he gave an unbiased view ,but always realising he was a Hearts supporter.
He had a successful football career but May had done better .
One of his exmanagers told me that he was annoyingly opinionated,always questioning,not a bad thing in my opinion but his managers didn’t appreciate it ,maybe the reason he moved clubs regularly HH
BSR and Fassreifen re our Japanese players.
Last week I was wunnering who our fave and most valuable Japanese players and ranking them in order of popularity;
Mid season it nights been
Naka
Kyogo
Daizen
After the last few games, for me it’s Got to be;
Daizen
Naka
Kyogo
Arigato CSC
“…..some people are on the pitch…..they think its all over…..
It is now!”
Daizen 211 games and 78 goals.
Naka 166 games with 34 goals.
Kyogo 165 games giving 85 goals
Reo for completness – 189 and 33 goals.
Various degree of legends, depending on the criteria applied.
But Daizen also shades it for me, a supreme athlete, I wonder if he ever did any other sport, surely he could have been a sprinter. I know he is lining up to go, so a hat trick on saturday, and a succesful world cup, and if he wants to make up for that woeful miss last season qualifiers, and then go I would be happy with that.
He looked incredibly happy on saturday, he knows what Celtic is, he shows it.
You’re Albert Kidding me
https://x.com/i/status/2056301500792479913
Thunder Road on 18th May 2026 8:23 pm
So McInnes surfaces and its after getting Manager of the Year.
Absolute joke.
Well T.Rd Scottish football has the art of timing always overlooking it.:-))
I mean the most critical test of his career.
The manager of the year opts not to play the player of the year,it impacted badly on the way they played,they lost to the Champions of the year and rightly so.:-)
Hail Hail
I missed this –
———
Del and Claudio win SFWA prizes
18 May 2026
Heart of Midlothian completed their sweep of awards season as Derek McInnes and Claudio Braga walked away with the top prizes at the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Awards Dinner.
Following a campaign where the boys in maroon captured the imagination of the football world, Derek and Claudio were voted by journalists as the country’s Manager and Player of the Year as Scottish football gathered for the ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow on Sunday night.
The awards were picked up by Keith Jackson on behalf of the winners, as they had left early in a waiting mini-bus as the atmosphere in the Weegie venue was becoming a bit rowdy, aggrevise and intimidating, as they were seen leaving the hall they defiantly gestured and shouting the Hearts motto “maroon jerseys dont run”
Good data points Stivs to quantify the most valuable player MVP
My criteria of fave is subjective and misleading.
I don’t see Reo on the same level as the others.
Kyogo had the unique personality that made him so likeable.
Naka was our first Japanese player with unique skill levels.
Daizen is part man part robot!
We’re lucky to have had all these guys. 🇯🇵