Celtic Park pitch invasion: Hearts slam ‘premature ending’ to title decider that set ‘troubling precedent’

Hearts have written to the Scottish FA and SPFL questioning the "troubling precedent" set by the "premature end" to last Saturday's Scottish Premiership title decider at Celtic Park.

The Jambos went into the final day of the season one point ahead of the Hoops, but Callum Osmand's late goal saw a number of home fans run on to the pitch to celebrate.

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".

Celtic apologised to Hearts for the incident, adding they would "co-operate fully with any investigation".

But the Edinburgh side have released a new statement, raising concerns about the season finale.

"As previously noted, the club is investigating events before, during and after the match, and will offer Police Scotland our full support as they continue with their enquiries," the statement read.

"We have also written to the SFA and SPFL, setting out our observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match, and expressing our concern that a troubling precedent has been set whereby a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a football match, rather than the match officials.

"We have asked them for a prompt response to the points we have raised.

"The incursion of spectators onto the field of play must never be condoned under any circumstances, and the seriousness of the potential consequences must be fully understood by supporters and clubs alike.

Hearts have also hit out at Martin O'Neill's comments on Monday, where he refused to condemn the scenes after Osmand's goal.

The Tynecastle Park club had revealed players and staff reported "serious physical and verbal abuse" during scenes and afterwards, describing them as "unacceptable" and "disgraceful".