Martin O’Neill has modestly downplayed his role in Celtic’s dramatic title triumph, insisting he was merely a "bit-part" figure in a season defined by the team’s unshakeable mentality. The Hoops delivered yet another comeback victory on the final day, defeating Hearts 3-1 at Parkhead to seal the Scottish Premiership crown.
It was a fitting end to a campaign that has seen Celtic repeatedly dig deep when it mattered most. Trailing 1-0 at halftime after Lawrence Shankland’s late first-half strike, the home side looked to be staring at disappointment. But a stoppage-time penalty from Arne Engels—awarded after Alexandros Kyziridis handled in the box—brought them level just before the break.
The second half was a siege. Hearts, needing only a draw to break the Old Firm’s stranglehold on the title, threw everything in front of goal. Celtic cranked up the pressure, and finally, in the 87th minute, Daizen Maeda poked home Callum Osmand’s low cross. The initial offside flag was overturned by VAR, sparking wild celebrations. Osmand then added a second in the 98th minute, tapping into an empty net after Hearts’ goalkeeper had pushed forward in desperation.
The final whistle brought scenes of pandemonium as fans flooded the pitch, though the joy was tempered by reports of some supporters harassing Hearts players. O’Neill, who came out of retirement twice this season to steady a rocky ship, now has his fourth Scottish Premiership title—and his first in 21 years.
"I had a great team back then," O’Neill told Sky Sports. "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."
Reflecting on the title race, O’Neill admitted to doubts. "I’m never sure about momentum because that can change in an instant. People kept saying we had momentum, but if you’d asked me before we played Rangers whether I’d take it to the final day, I would’ve bitten your arm off. So, we did it here."