The Celtic manager has responded after a chaotic end to the game between his side and Hearts.
Martin O’Neill has responded to claims of Hearts players being ‘accosted’ at Parkhead - as the Celtic manager reveals what the fourth official told him after Callum Osmand’s goal.
The Hoops won the Premiership title on the final day through late goals by Daizen Maeda and Osmand in a 3-1 victory, Lawrence Shankland initially putting the visitors ahead, cancelled out by an Arne Engels penalty. Hearts needed a draw to clinch their first top flight honour since 1960 as they end season 25/26 in second, but chaotic scenes played out after Osmand netted deep into second half stoppage time to finish the match, home fans spilling onto the pitch.
In the aftermath, Hearts want the ‘strongest action possible’, after reports of ‘serious’ physical and verbal abuse towards their players and staff. O’Neill says he wasn’t aware of anything in the immediate aftermath of the game but insisted it wasn’t right were that to have played out. Referee Don Robertson blew for full time after fans stormed onto the pitch and the Celtic manager claims the fourth official said there was a minute left in proceedings after Osmand’s strike.
Martin O’Neill on end to Celtic vs Hearts game
The Hoops boss said: “I’m not pleading the fifth amendment, I don’t know. If there have been some Hearts players accosted then that’s just not right at all. But I genuinely didn’t see the scenes at the end.
“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. The fourth official had said to me there was like a minute to go when we scored the goal. But with the best will in the world, they’re not going to get two goals in that time.
“I didn’t see the incidents. Obviously, there’s a lot of commotion in the tunnel, so I don’t know. But if Hearts players have been accosted by some of our fans, that’s pretty serious.”
Martin O’Neill on Celtic 3-1 Hearts
O’Neill, who twice returned to the Celtic dugout this season after departures for Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, added on the game: “The players, the coaching staff, have given me a reason to live. That’s not to say my family haven’t, but this is the most special place on earth. When there is absolute unison in this stadium, it is a sight to behold.
“I am ecstatic, really ecstatic and the great thing is I am getting a lot of credit for things I did not do! I am not going to disavow them of that notion. I never thought I would ever stand on a winner’s podium at this club again, not in a million years. Lifting the trophy was the best feeling in the world. There is nothing like that. We have been in front for just eight or nine minutes.
“This group have been through a lot, a resignation, me coming in and leaving, another fella coming in and leaving. That is disturbing for a team. We have lots of things to put right, but the fighting spirit in the camp is special. For all the tactics in the world, it is about heart. That is what it boils down to. Great players can pick a pass, and it looks great, like the tactics are working a treat. We might not have that, so we have to show some heart. We have to look at things in the summer. Hearts have been brilliant this year and it is a wake up call to Celtic and Rangers.”
- Ben Banks
No comments:
Post a Comment