Scottish football could hardly have asked for a more dramatic finale to the Scottish Premiership season. In a winner-takes-all showdown, Celtic hosted Hearts in a clash that carried huge historical significance for both clubs.

For Heart of Midlothian, it was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Edinburgh side came within touching distance of their first league title since 1960 and knew that even a draw at Celtic Park would be enough to complete one of the greatest stories in modern Scottish football.

The dream moved a step closer to reality in the 43rd minute when captain Lawrence Shankland fired Hearts into the lead, stunning the home crowd and sending travelling supporters into delirium.

But champions respond when it matters most — and Celtic did exactly that. Just before half-time, Arne Engels calmly converted from the penalty spot to level the score at 1-1. Even then, the result still favoured Hearts, who continued to cling to their historic dream.

That dream was finally shattered in the 87th minute. With tension reaching unbearable levels, Japanese forward Daizen Maeda produced the decisive moment, scoring the goal that sent Celtic Park into chaos and put the title back into Glasgow hands.

Deep into stoppage time, Hearts threw everyone forward in a desperate final push, including their goalkeeper. The gamble backfired spectacularly as Celtic broke away three-on-none, allowing Osmand to seal a dramatic 3-1 victory.

The win secured a record-breaking 56th Scottish league title for Celtic, moving them ahead of fierce rivals Rangers, who remain on 55 championships.

2025-26, Scottish Premier League

Celtic - Hearts 3:1 (1:1)
Goals: Shankland, 43 (0:1); Engels, 45 (penalty) (1:1); Maeda, 87 (2:1); Osmand C., 90 (3:1)

Celtic: Sinisalo; Johnston A.; Scales; Trusty (Osmand C., 73); Tierney (Saracchi, 73); Engels; McGregor C.; Hyun-jun Yang (Forrest, 62); Nygren (Murray D., 90); Tounekti (Iheanacho, 46); Maeda
Substitution: Iheanacho (from 46); Forrest (from 62); Saracchi (from 73); Osmand C. (from 73); Murray D. (from 90)
Bench: Doohan; Ralston; McCowan; Oxlade-Chamberlain
Yellow Cards: Johnston A. 35; Nygren 53; Trusty 58; Saracchi 90; McGregor C. 90; Maeda 90

Hearts: Schwolow; Kingsley; Steinwender; Milne (Chesnokov, 68); Findlay; Baningime (Spittal, 51); Devlin; Altena (Kent F., 47); Kyziridis (Forrest A., 67); Kabore P. L. (Braga C., 68); Shankland
Substitution: Kent F. (from 47); Spittal (from 51); Forrest A. (from 67); Chesnokov (from 68); Braga C. (from 68)
Bench: Fulton R.; McCart J.; Borchgrevink; Kerjota
Yellow Cards: Steinwender 38; Devlin 77; Shankland 90