Celtic win title in dramatic fashion on the final day to deny Hearts fairytale
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Celtic secured their fifth consecutive Scottish league title by defeating Hearts 3-1 on the final day of the 2025-26 season, finishing two points clear at the top.
- Hearts took an early lead through Lawrence Shankland and only needed a draw to claim their first league title since 1960, but Celtic equalized via a penalty from Arne Engels just before halftime.
- Daizen Maeda scored a decisive late goal for Celtic, initially ruled offside but confirmed onside after VAR review, and Callum Osmand sealed the victory with a goal in stoppage time.
- Martin O’Neill, serving as interim manager after Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy were dismissed, won his fourth Scottish title as Celtic boss, marking his first league triumph in 22 years.
- Celtic's 56th league title puts them one ahead of Rangers, continuing the dominance of the Old Firm in Scottish football since 1985, while Hearts' remarkable season fell just short of a historic breakthrough.