Martin O’Neill’s second stint as Celtic manager ended in a flurry of stoppage-time brilliance as his side claimed the Scottish Premiership title 21 years after his last triumph in 2004.
Celtic entered Saturday’s match needing a victory to overtake Hearts at the summit, but the Glasgow side barely threatened for long stretches. Hearts took the lead in the 57th minute through a Liam Boyce header, only for O’Neill’s players to respond with clinical precision in added time. The late strikes marked the first time Celtic had scored twice in stoppage time since the 1970s.
Key Points
- ✅ O’Neill’s interim return delivered his fourth league title with Celtic, 21 years after his third
- ⚡ Maeda and Osmand scored in the 90th and 93rd minutes to secure a 3-1 win over Hearts
- 💡 The victory moves Celtic top of the Premiership with one match remaining
The result capped an eight-month title race that saw Celtic trail Hearts for much of the campaign before a surge of 22 points from 10 matches under O’Neill. The Northern Irishman, who first managed the club between 2000 and 2005, admitted the campaign had defied his expectations. “In October, I was having coffee on the King’s Road in London, enjoying retirement,” he said after the match. “I thought the days of lifting trophies at Celtic Park were long gone.”
| Season | Manager | Title Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | Martin O’Neill | 1 |
| 2001-02 | Martin O’Neill | 2 |
| 2003-04 | Martin O’Neill | 3 |
| 2024-25 | Martin O’Neill | 4 |
O’Neill’s future remains uncertain despite the triumph. When asked if he would continue next season, he replied, “I genuinely don’t know.” The former Leicester City, Aston Villa, and Sunderland boss cited fatigue and the relentless demands of management as factors in his deliberation. “I’m a bit-part in proceedings,” he joked. “They see me every day and think, ‘What’s he doing here?’”
💡 Pro Tip
Managers weighing interim roles should negotiate clear exit clauses before taking the job to avoid limbo after major wins.
The title triumph sets up a potential double with the Scottish Cup final against Championship side Dunfermline Athletic next weekend. Celtic, who have already sealed a domestic treble under O’Neill’s stewardship, will aim to extend their dominance with another trophy. O’Neill, however, remains focused on the present. “Let’s see what next week brings,” he said. “This is the most special place on earth when there is absolute unison in this stadium.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 22 points — Celtic’s haul from 10 matches under O’Neill after trailing Hearts
- 1,842 days — Span between O’Neill’s last title in 2004 and his return in 2025
The victory also underscores the club’s ability to thrive under interim leadership. O’Neill’s appointment in February followed Wilfried Nancy’s brief and unsuccessful tenure, which saw Celtic drop to third in the table. Since then, the club has lost just two of 20 matches across all competitions, with 16 wins and two draws. The late surge has silenced critics and reaffirmed Celtic’s status as Scotland’s dominant force.
- 📊 Celtic’s title win marks their 54th league championship, the most in Scottish football history
- 🔍 Hearts’ collapse under Frank Clark’s management ends a 22-year absence from the title race
- ⚠️ O’Neill’s age and health could dictate his decision to continue, despite his rejuvenation