Kieran Tierney dedicates Celtic's title win to one player who does things “no one sees”
Celtic defender, Kieran Tierney, has decided to win the Scottish Premiership title today, making history for Hearts by one player.
Celtic 3-1 Hearts as Martin O'Neill recorded his 56th Scottish title for the Hoops
They do it the hard way.
Celtic are Scottish champions for the 56th time after a stunning 3-1 win over Hearts at Celtic Park set up the toughest run the Scottish Premiership has produced in years.
It was a result that broke Hearts in every sense of the word, and confirmed Martin O'Neill's incredible side as the strongest team in Scottish football.
Hearts had led the league for 250 days. Two hundred and fifty.
Derek McInnes' side have spent much of the season in the top flight, dreaming of a first championship since 1960 and what would be the first non-Old Firm title in Scotland since Aberdeen took over in 1985.
They arrived at Celtic Park knowing that a draw would be enough, but for all their hard work and determination, the Jambos came up short.
The deal was reached as the club broke their transfer record by signing a Celtic player
The Owls are about to say goodbye.
Lawrence Shankland gave them hope, coming into the clear after 35 minutes to send the traveling support into delirium. But the lead didn't last just three minutes.
Tierney's cross hit the arm of Alexandros Kyziridis, referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot, and Arne Engels buried the penalty to level things before the break.
The second half was relentless.
Celtic dominated possession and pushed Hearts back, but success was never to come, with Kelechi Iheanacho coming close to hitting the post.
Goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow also pulled off some great saves to deny Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda. It was one of those afternoons where the football gods made up their minds.
In the 87th minute, Maeda forced Callum Osmand's low ball from close range. The offside flag went up. Celtic Park held its breath. VAR checked the replay. Osmand was there. The goal.
Three minutes of stoppage time later, Osmand got his own to make it three, and the title was sealed. Celtic finished with 82 points, two clear of Hearts with 80.
Kieran Tierney congratulates Callum McGregor on winning the title for Celtic
It includes significant changes.
O'Neill, now 74, returned to the team he led to the 2003 UEFA Cup final when things looked bleak.
Celtic were six points behind when they took over, the fans were restless, the season seemed to be lacking.
Instead, the veteran coach steadied the ship, got the best out of his players, and delivered a fifth consecutive league title – 14 in the last 15 seasons.
After the final whistle, with Celtic Park erupting, Tierney spoke to Sky Sports about the man he believes has held them together through the most difficult moments of the campaign.
Not the manager. Not a goal scorer. The captain.
“Our captain is absolutely brilliant,” Tierney said.
“What he does for us, behind the scenes, where no one can see, is unbelievable. He kept the locker room together.”
Callum McGregor has been at Celtic since he was young. You've seen title races, trebles, European nights, managerial turmoil and everything in between.
At 32, his legs may not be as strong as they once were, but his impact on this team – especially during a season where stability has been lacking – cannot be measured in numbers alone.
O'Neill now has the chance to complete the home double when Celtic face Neil Lennon's Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final.
After today, nobody at Parkhead will be betting against them.
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