Celtic apologise to Hearts over pitch invasion

Celtic have apologised to Hearts and say they will co-operate with a police investigation into the pitch invasion at the conclusion of the clubs' thrilling Scottish Premiership title decider.

Fans streamed out of the stands at Celtic Park and some confronted Hearts players after Callum Osmand ran clear to make it 3-1 to Celtic in the 98th minute.

Hearts players left the stadium immediately while still in their kits due to what the Tynecastle club say was a "menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium".

After paying tribute to their manager Martin O'Neill and the squad for securing a fifth consecutive league title, Celtic say they "regret" the behaviour of some fans.

"We again emphasise that there is no justification for this behaviour which, for the vast majority of Celtic supporters, only detracts from the joy of such occasions," the club statement continued.

"Celtic will co-operate fully with any investigation and with the SPFL in their own processes.

"We also apologise to Hearts for the situation encountered by their players and staff at the conclusion of the game, and for the fact that these events prevented them from saluting their own supporters at the end of an enthralling campaign, to which they have contributed so much."

Meanwhile, the SPFL says the game was not brought to a premature conclusion when fans entered the pitch.

Play did not resume after Osmand's goal, despite the clock not having reached the allocated 98 minutes.

A spokesperson for the SPFL sent congratulations to Celtic and commiserations to Hearts before praising referee Don Robertson and the team of match officials for keeping "cool heads on such a dramatic day".

The statement added: "Given the speculation about the conclusion of the game, we would like to make clear that, prior to awarding the trophy, we were informed by the match referee that the match had ended and had not been abandoned."

The SPFL spokesperson went on to "utterly condemn the scenes which saw a number of Celtic supporters encroach on to the field of play".

They explained the governing body will wait for the match delegate report to consider action.

"Supporters entering the field of play in any circumstances is wholly unacceptable and puts those participating and working at a match at risk," they said.

"We note that entering the pitch in England and Wales has been a criminal offence since 1991. We urge anyone with information about any alleged criminal activity to contact Police Scotland."