Celtic win Scottish title on final day after late Maeda goal

For eight months Celtic chased Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership. They stayed in the fight, winning matches they looked like they would lose and scoring late goals, driven on by Martin O'Neill.

The final-day invasion by Celtic fans was an outpouring of emotion that went too far. An investigation will be launched. Hearts staff were enraged and left the ground quickly.

This was O'Neill's moment. Last-day dramas are nothing new to him. In a previous spell at Celtic Park he lost two titles on the final day. This one went to the wire as well.

With a dozen minutes left, Celtic were drawing and Hearts were winning the league. Kelechi Iheanacho hit a post. Benjamin Nygren forced a save from Alexander Schwolow. Hearts were champions with nine minutes to play, then eight, then seven.

It took until three minutes from the end for Celtic to score the goal that won the title. Daizen Maeda was the scorer again. Callum Osmand, back after missing most of the season, delivered the cross.

Maeda has scored in each of his past five league games. He was in tears afterwards.

For much of the day Celtic lacked threat and creativity. After more than half an hour they had zero shots on target and only two touches in the Hearts penalty area.

Lawrence Shankland's back-post header put Hearts ahead. Celtic needed two goals. Arne Engels scored one from the penalty spot. O'Neill brought on Iheanacho at half-time and he made a difference. Osmand came on later and set up the winner.

Hearts lost players to injury. Beni Baningime went off, and Michael Steinwender, Stephen Kingsley and Alexandros Kyziridis also went down. They kept going but were pushed back.

Iheanacho hit a post and Maeda scored the decisive goal. Eight minutes of added time followed. Hearts pushed hard for an equaliser.

Osmand broke away to score in the final seconds. Celtic fans invaded the pitch with 30 seconds left. The final whistle had already been blown, but the scenes were chaotic.

Hearts will be distraught. They have given the title race its drama this season. Celtic have work to do before next season, but they are champions again.