Resilient Celtic time run perfectly to win race after eight-month chase

Those moments in Jamboland must have been deadly and cruel. Anger must be unorthodox. So much has been done, so much history has been written, but it still wasn’t enough.

Osmand broke away to score with seconds left in the game, his two teammates running in their own flow with the men in maroon on the other side. What a beautiful moment it must have been for the young player, free kick, open goal and the screams of 60,000 fans in his ears.

There were still 30 seconds left to play when the invasion occurred, but that time was wasted in the chaos. Published Celtic fan and eyewitness reports make clear that things got ugly.

The SPFL were later informed by match officials that the final whistle had been blown, but it was still a pathetic end to a magnificent moment for the home team. This is a shameful way to treat the visitors who have given us so much this season, given us so many great moments, made the title race the biggest race in many people’s lives.

Hearts will naturally be devastated, but there is a sense that this is just the beginning of their story, as they will again and again come under the stewardship of Derek McInnes, data analysis from Jamestown Analytics, support from the Foundation of Hearts, Tony Bloom and their chief benefactor James Anderson.

None of this will ease their suffering in the here and now. This pain will be an open wound until we get over the line in this league. There must also be a great deal of pride. And hope. It’s a bittersweet season.

Celtic have a lot of work to do, there are very important foundations to lay for next season. O’Neill displayed a flair for evasion that would not have been necessary had the decision-makers above him not been so cavalier for so long.

They will undoubtedly conduct a review, but they will do so from a position of strength. Champions again. And this time, more than ever, “just” was enough.