Celtic fans celebrate as Hearts' title hopes end

Thousands of Celtic fans celebrated in the streets of Glasgow after their team retained the Scottish Premiership title with a 3-1 win over Hearts at Celtic Park.

Heart of Midlothian needed only a draw to claim their first top-flight league trophy in 66 years and end 40 years of dominance by Glasgow clubs. Celtic scored twice in the final minutes to secure the victory.

Police Scotland closed several roads in the Trongate area ahead of the celebrations and advised people to stay away. The Gallowgate was shut between Watson Street and High Street, and London Road was closed between Glasgow Cross and James Morrison Street. High Street and Saltmarket remained open.

Hearts took the lead, but Celtic equalized quickly. Late goals from Daizen Maeda and substitute Callum Osmand sealed the result. Fans ran onto the pitch after the third goal, and Hearts players were escorted to the tunnel by police and officials.

BBC Sportscene pundit Allan Preston said some Celtic fans appeared to target Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland. The match did not restart after the pitch invasion.

Hearts players and staff left quickly, some still in their match kit on the team bus back to Edinburgh.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, 74, said reports of fans assaulting Hearts players were wrong. He said he had not seen the final scenes because he thought the game was still on and was trying to clear fans from the pitch.

As his team lifted the trophy, O'Neill said the players and staff had given him a reason to live. Captain Callum McGregor praised the team's mentality after being written off by many.

Many Celtic fans watched in Glasgow bars. One supporter, Ian, called the result exceptional. Another, Aidan, said it topped the birth of his two children.

Fewer than 800 Hearts fans were at the stadium, but thousands gathered in Edinburgh pubs. Fiona, watching with her 10-year-old daughter Olivia at the Tynecastle Arms, said she felt proud and devastated. She said the club had given fans much to look forward to.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge sent his commiserations, saying the team had given everything at Celtic Park and brought joy to fans and the community.

As a precaution, glass was removed from bus stop shelters on Friday, and the club urged supporters to avoid large gatherings.