Heart of Midlothian players were attacked by Celtic supporters during a pitch invasion after Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title at Celtic Park. The Edinburgh club released a statement confirming they are in dialogue with Police Scotland following what they described as shameful scenes that once again embarrassed Scottish football.
Martin O'Neill's Celtic side won the match 3-1 on the final day of the season to secure the league championship. Hearts entered the game needing a draw or a win to claim the title and took the lead through captain Lawrence Shankland. Arne Engels equalised for Celtic before half-time, before Daizen Maeda and Callum Osmand scored late goals to seal victory for the home team.
Osmand scored in the eighth minute of added time, triggering a wild pitch invasion by home supporters. Some fans attacked the devastated Hearts squad on the pitch, with eyewitnesses reporting that Shankland was punched and kicked while trying to defend himself. Police officers escorted Shankland down the tunnel while several of his team-mates were also caught up in the disorder.
Hearts Statement On Stadium Violence
Heart of Midlothian condemned the incidents in an official statement released after the match. "Heart of Midlothian utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football," the statement read. "Reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing."
The club confirmed that a full investigation is underway alongside law enforcement. "We are investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland. We will make no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation," Hearts stated.
Hearts explained that safety concerns forced their staff and squad to abandon traditional post-match media duties and leave the ground immediately. "Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties," the club said. "To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes."
The club added that the pitch invasion created complete confusion over the end of the match. "The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish," Hearts said. "Our players were then denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans, sensational to a person, for their backing this afternoon and all season long."
Hearts called on footballing governing bodies to issue strict punishments over the events. "We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game," the statement continued.
The statement paid tribute to manager Derek McInnes and the squad despite the defeat. "This season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland, but the world over. We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded."
Following the chaotic finish, Hearts players and staff made a rapid departure from Celtic Park. Many players remained in their match kit as they boarded the team bus less than 30 minutes after the final whistle. The match was highlighted in coverage alongside a column by Calum Crowe titled "These self-entitled morons seem to think they are a law unto themselves."
Police Scotland Action In Glasgow
Later in the evening, Police Scotland released details regarding severe disorder in Glasgow city centre as supporters celebrated Celtic's title win. Police confirmed they dealt with "unacceptable violence and hostility as fans gathered in Glasgow" after the match ended.
According to police, around 3,000 people gathered in the Trongate area of Glasgow, where officers faced significant disorder. Missiles, including glass bottles, were thrown at police officers while they were assisting with a medical emergency, resulting in injuries to officers.
Police Scotland stated that specially trained public order officers were deployed to restore order, disperse the crowd and make arrests. Authorities confirmed that extensive enquiries are underway to identify others involved and that further arrests will be made.
