Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho capped a remarkable debut season at Celtic with a Scottish Premiership title on Saturday, as the Hoops staged a dramatic late comeback to beat Hearts 3-1 at Celtic Park and deny the Edinburgh side their first league crown since 1960.
Celtic, who needed a win to leapfrog Hearts at the top of the table, fell behind when Lawrence Shankland headed home a Stephen Kingsley corner in the 43rd minute. Arne Engels levelled from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after Kieran Tierney’s cross struck the arm of Alexandros Kyziridis.
The second half was tense and largely uneventful until three minutes from time, when Daizen Maeda turned in Callum Osmand’s cross. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review reversed the decision and sparked wild celebrations around Celtic Park.
Osmand then rubbed salt into Hearts’ wounds by bursting clear from inside his own half to roll into an unguarded net after goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow had pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Celtic fans poured onto the pitch in celebration as the final whistle confirmed a 14th title in 15 years and a fifth consecutive Premiership crown, with the club also surpassing Rangers in the total number of Scottish league titles won with their 56th championship.
Iheanacho, introduced from the bench, played a significant role in turning the tide during the second half. The Nigerian fired against the base of the post, and his presence helped Celtic pin Hearts back as the pressure mounted before Maeda’s breakthrough.
It was a fitting end to a season in which the 29-year-old has been one of Celtic’s most decisive figures despite spending long spells sidelined with recurring hamstring injuries. His eight goals in 22 appearances have made him the highest-scoring Nigerian in Celtic’s history. He earned the club eight points through match-winning contributions alone, with goals from the bench against Kilmarnock on debut, Dundee, Hibernian and Motherwell proving particularly crucial.
His 98th-minute penalty winner against Motherwell in midweek, which sparked a pitch invasion from Celtic supporters, had kept the title race alive and set up Saturday’s showdown.
Interim manager Martin O’Neill, in what he had suggested would be among his final matches in charge, led Celtic to the title for a fourth time overall and first since 2005, having steadied the ship after the turbulent spells of Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and his own first interim stint earlier in the season.
O’Neill now leads Celtic to Hampden for the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic, where a double remains on the cards.
Iheanacho, whose contract includes an option for a further year, had confirmed before the match that discussions over his future would begin after the final whistle. Saturday’s title-winning contribution may have made that conversation considerably easier.
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