Celtic came from behind in an astonishing finale to beat long-time Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and deny them a first league title since 1960 – while securing their fifth title in a row after a miraculous season.
The Edinburgh side had led since September in their search to become the first non-Old Firm team to win the top flight in four decades.
They only needed a draw to be crowned champions, led through Lawrence Shankland’s opener, and were only three minutes away from getting the point they needed before their dreams were snatched away.
But, having levelled through an Arne Engels penalty, Celtic went in front through Daizen Maeda in the 87th minute – a goal only awarded after a VAR review correctly overturned the decision to rule it out.
And Callum Osmand broke clear to add a stoppage-time third as Celtic surpass Rangers in the number of total titles won with 56.
With the eyes of the world on Celtic Park, wondering if Hearts would complete their fairytale season, the hosts prevailed – 40 years since they last started the final day in second place and won the title – when they also edged out the Tynecastle club.
In what could be his last league game in charge, interim manager Martin O’Neill has led Celtic to the title for a fourth time – 22 years since his last – having secured a first win of the season over Derek McInnes’ side after two defeats and a draw.
During his time at Aberdeen, McInnes finished as a runner-up to Celtic three years running and has to settle for second place again after his first season at Hearts.
Celtic came into the Scotland’s first head-to-head final-day title decider since 1991 on a high after a controversial penalty in the final seconds of stoppage time handed them a 3-2 win away to Motherwell on Wednesday.
Hearts had been 50 minutes away from the title in midweek, as they headed to victory over Falkirk while Celtic were behind at Fir Park.
That was a nervy evening and plenty of anxiety was on show here, too, as it took 32 minutes for either side to have an effort on target.
But it was Hearts who struck first just before the break, with Shankland rising unchallenged at the back post to head home after a Stephen Kingsley corner flew over flailing Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.
However, Engels replied in first-half stoppage time when his spot-kick slipped under Hearts keeper Alexander Schwolow – after Kieran Tierney’s cross struck the arm of Alexandros Kyziridis.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho fired against a post and Schwolow saved from Benjamin Nygren, but Celtic’s moment would come.
Maeda flicked in an Osmand cross and the young striker knocked in the decisive third on the break as Hearts threw everyone forward.
O’Neill had suggested beforehand that everybody apart from Celtic fans wanted Hearts to win the title, but ultimately the world outside Parkhead was left disappointed.
