Celtic crush Hearts’ dreams as late win clinches fifth straight title

By Press Association Sport Staff

Celtic dashed Hearts’ Scottish Premiership dreams in dramatic fashion as Daizen Maeda’s late VAR-assisted winner helped the hosts secure a 3-1 victory in the title decider.

The Jambos were on course to break the 40-year-old Old Firm stranglehold on the Scottish title until Maeda turned home in the 87th minute.

His celebrations were cut short as the flag immediately went up for offside – but a quick review showed the Japan forward was onside to spark wild celebrations at Celtic Park.

Hearts pushed everyone forward for a free-kick deep into eight extra minutes but Celtic broke and 20-year-old substitute Callum Osmand scored into an empty net to make sure of their fifth straight title.

Lawrence Shankland had headed the visitors into a 43rd-minute lead, but Arne Engels replied in first-half stoppage time from the penalty spot.

Elsewhere on the final day for the top six, 10-man Motherwell made sure of European football with a 1-0 win at Hibernian thanks to Lukas Fadinger’s 35th-minute strike.

Hibernian could not respond, despite Elliot Watt’s red card, and their hopes of playing in Europe next season now rest on Celtic winning the Scottish Cup.

Youssef Chermiti scored a hat-trick as third-placed Rangers ended the campaign with a 5-2 win at Falkirk to halt their four-match losing run.