Hearts Condemn 'Shameful' Abuse of Players and Staff After Celtic Title Decider Hearts issued a strongly worded statement condemning the "shameful" and "disgraceful" behavior that marred the conclusion of the Scottish Premiership title race following their 3-1 defeat to Celtic at Celtic Park. The Edinburgh club described the treatment of its players and staff as "deeply disturbing" and called for urgent action from authorities to safeguard the integrity of Scottish football. The match, which secured Celtic’s fifth consecutive league title, ended in chaotic scenes that left Hearts players and staff in a vulnerable position. The incident unfolded after Callum O'Shaman’s goal for Celtic in the 88th minute sealed the victory. The celebration quickly turned violent as a mass pitch invasion erupted, with Hearts players and staff subjected to verbal and physical abuse from fans. The Hearts squad left the pitch before the end of stoppage time, with the game never officially restarted. They were escorted back to Tynecastle Park by police, having abandoned the match due to the hostile environment. In a statement, Hearts emphasized the "deeply disturbing" nature of the events, stating that reports of serious physical and verbal abuse toward players and staff were unacceptable. The club confirmed it was investigating the incident and in contact with Police Scotland. "We are in dialogue with Police Scotland and will make no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation," the statement read. The club also apologized to media partners for not allowing staff to conduct post-match media duties, citing safety concerns. "The safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes," the statement added.#celtic #hearts #callum_oshaman #callum_mcgregor #martin_oneyne
Derek McInnes' Potential Lineup Adjustments for Hearts vs Livingston Derek McInnes faces the challenge of reshaping his Hearts starting XI for the upcoming match against Livingston, with several players returning from injury and key positions still in flux. The manager has identified nine players who are likely to feature in the squad, provided they are fit and available. This includes the goalkeeper and back four of Alexander Schwolow, Oisin McEntee, Craig Halkett, Stuart Findlay, and Harry Milne, who are expected to start when available. The front three of Lawrence Shankland, Claudio Braga, and Alexandros Kyziridis are also considered stick-ons, while Cammy Devlin, who played every game before his injury, is likely to return to midfield. However, the availability of certain players remains uncertain. Milne is currently unavailable, and Stuart Findlay has only trained once since sustaining a hamstring injury. McInnes has options to address these gaps, including Michael Steinwender and Jamie McCart, who can bolster the defensive line. The left-right balance of the defense may see McCart paired with Halkett, though McCart could still be required at left-back. Stephen Kingsley, who has trained over the past two weeks following a groin injury, is expected to be available for his first start since December 27. McInnes has also considered Jordi Altena as a potential left-back option, particularly after Halkett’s back spasm forced him out of the starting XI. Altena’s versatility was demonstrated in the recent win over Dundee, where he played as a “high 8” in midfield. However, the manager opted against using him at left-back, preferring to maintain the 4-4-2 formation. The right midfield position remains the most uncertain, with no clear starter.#hearts #derek_mcinnnes #livingston #alexander_schwolow #oisin_mcentee
Veteran Coaches Back O'Neill's Bid for Success, Says Goodwin Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has expressed confidence in interim Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, suggesting that older coaches are rooting for the Northern Irishman to prove he can still achieve success in the league. O'Neill, 74, has a storied history with Celtic, having led the club to significant achievements in the early 2000s. This season, he took temporary charge of the team in October after Brendan Rodgers resigned, only to be replaced by Wilfried Nancy, who was later sacked after a challenging spell in charge. O'Neill returned to Parkhead to complete the season alongside Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham. Despite the turbulent campaign, O'Neill's side remains second in the league table, just two points behind leaders Hearts. Goodwin emphasized that age is not a barrier to success, noting that many experienced coaches are cheering O'Neill on to demonstrate their ability to thrive in the modern game. He praised O'Neill's extensive experience and his remarkable success during his first tenure at Celtic, calling him one of the most accomplished managers in the club's modern history. Goodwin also highlighted O'Neill's resilience, pointing to his recent efforts to rescue the team during the season. Dundee United, currently seventh in the league, are aiming to recover from a recent derby defeat against Hearts. Their next fixture is a crucial away match against third-placed Rangers. Goodwin stressed that the focus for his team is on securing points to improve their position, rather than influencing the title race. He acknowledged the pressure on Celtic to challenge Hearts and Rangers but emphasized that Dundee United, as the home team, have confidence from their previous strong performance against Celtic at Tannadice.#martin_oneyll #celtic #jim_goodwin #dundee_united #hearts
