Grim denouement of stunning Scottish Premiership title race must prompt shift in attitudes

A full stop to a Scottish league campaign raises questions about how attitudes may change after a grim conclusion to Hearts’ visit. Celtic’s board faces scrutiny over whether another title will be treated as vindication. More immediate concern centers on how champions and others respond to unruly behavior from a section of Celtic supporters. The Scottish Professional Football League condemned supporters who flooded onto the pitch after Callum Osmand’s third goal, stating that entering the field of play is unacceptable and endangers participants and staff. Hearts players were abused during a crushing moment when they lost the chance to end Old Firm dominance. The SPFL also clarified the match was not abandoned, while the referee was forced to end play early because pitch invaders remained on the field.

"Supporters entering the field of play in any circumstances is wholly unacceptable and puts those participating and working at a match at risk, added the SPFL. Hearts players were accosted and abused during their most crushing of moments, having lost the opportunity to break the Old Firm's four decades of title dominance. The same SPFL statement scrambled to assert that the game had not been abandoned, therefore seeking to pull the rug from under those who want the fixture replayed or result annulled."

"On Sunday, the Scottish Professional Football League utterly condemned Celtic supporters who flooded on to the pitch at the time of Callum Osmand's third goal. Supporters entering the field of play in any circumstances is wholly unacceptable and puts those participating and working at a match at risk, added the SPFL. Hearts players were accosted and abused during their most crushing of moments, having lost the opportunity to break the Old Firm's four decades of title dominance."

"Nonetheless, an undeniable fact remains the referee was forced to call time earlier than he intended the fourth official had informed Martin O'Neill, the Celtic manager, there remained a minute to play because of pitch invaders. What kind of dangerous precedent does this set? On the eve of Hearts' potentially historic trip to Celtic Park, the Scottish Football Association issued a lengthy polemic against various constituents within the game whom they blame for enflaming tensions towards referees."

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