Heartbreak for Hearts as Celtic take title

Hearts have missed out on the chance to win their first top flight league trophy in 66 years after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Scottish Premiership holders Celtic. The Edinburgh side only needed a draw to end the 40 year dominance of Glasgow clubs but Celtic ultimately triumphed, retaining the title for the fifth year in a row. Despite the Jambos scoring the first goal of the match, Celtic quickly equalised and two late goals - by Daizen Maeda and substitute Callum Osmand - sealed their fate.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor said he was "speechless" at the result, adding: "You can see what this means to everyone, to the group of players. " Hoops fans were thrilled as their team held onto the title for the fifth year in a row [Reuters] "We knew we would get a chance for sure, this is the way this group is, they just keep going and going," he said. "What a special, special group of people – magical.

" Former Celtic captain Scott Brown got a huge round of applause as he brought the silverware for the trophy presentation. Taking the microphone. manager Martin O'Neill, now aged 74, said the players and coaching staff had "given me a reason to live".

There was disappointment in Edinburgh after the result at Celtic Park [PA Media] Ecstatic Celtic fans poured onto the pitch as the third goal went into the net, with shattered Hearts players escorted down the tunnel. BBC Sportscene pundit Allan Preston said some of the Celtic fans appeared to be targeting Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland. The Hearts players and staff made a hasty exit after the game, with some players still in their match kit on the team bus as they headed back to Edinburgh.