Hearts have slammed the ‘shameful’ and ‘disgraceful’ scenes that marred the end of the Scottish Premiership season finale at Celtic Park in a damning club statement
Hearts have condemned the ‘shameful scenes’ at Celtic Park which ’embarrassed Scottish football’ as their William Hill Scottish Premiership title dream ended in acrimonious fashion. And the Edinburgh club have let rip over a lack of security and safety, demanding the strongest possible action be taken after reports of players and staff being verbally and physically abused, both on the pitch and elsewhere.
Hearts had led the table since September in their quest to become the first non-Old Firm team to win the top flight in four decades, but that quest ended in heartbreak for Derek McInnes’ side after Callum Osmand’s late goal sealed a 3-1 win for the Hoops. And immediately after Osmand’s goal deep into stoppage time, fans ran on to the pitch to celebrate with Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, allegedly being assaulted along with more of his team-mates, who needed to be escorted off the pitch.
Hearts also say they are still no clearer as to when or whether referee Don Robertson actually blew the full-time whistle amid the chaotic scenes. They also explained why they felt the need to leave the stadium without fulfilling any post-match media duties, apologising for this as well as to the 750 fans that made the trip west for not being able to acknowledge them on the pitch and for being subjected to the incidents at the end of the match.
A statement read: “Heart of Midlothian utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football.
“Reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing. We are investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland. We 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.
READ MORE: Celtic vs Hearts ‘abandoned game’ theory as unseen referee action explained during chaosREAD MORE: Celtic vs Hearts ends in ugly scenes as police drag players off after pitch invasion
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“Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties. To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.
“The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish. Our players were then denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans – sensational to a person – for their backing this afternoon and all season long.
“We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game. This season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland, but the world over.
“We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.”
Earlier, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill had said: “If some Hearts players have been accosted, then that’s just not right at all. I genuinely didn’t see the scenes at the end because I thought the game wasn’t over, so I’m trying to push some of our fans off the pitch again to play whatever’s left.
“Obviously, at 3-1, I think that the fourth official had said to me, there was like a minute to go when we scored the goal, so with the best will in the world, they’re not going to get two goals in that time.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of commotion in the tunnel, so I don’t know, but getting back to the point, if Hearts players have been accosted by some of our fans, that’s pretty serious. Honestly, I’m not pushing it to the side, it’ll be something that the officials or people will have to look at.”
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