Football May 26, 2026

Celtic Park pitch invasion: Martin O'Neill says Hearts' 'severe allegation' of players assaulted 'has not been proved'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Celtic Park pitch invasion: Martin O'Neill says Hearts' 'severe allegation' of players assaulted 'has not been proved'

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill says allegations Hearts players were assaulted amid Saturday's pitch invasion "has not been proved" as he refused to condemn the club's fans.

Shareholder Tony Bloom claimed on Wednesday that Hearts players were assaulted by Celtic fans who had run onto the pitch to celebrate clinching the Scottish Premiership title.

Police Scotland are investigating whether there was any criminality involved, and O'Neill says if proof emerges then there would be "deep apologies".

"That hasn't been proved, and that's a fairly severe allegation as well too," O'Neill said ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline.

"If it is eventually proved, and there's been a lot of searching around over videos and things like this here, then obviously that would be very serious indeed.

"If that's the case, then obviously that would be a deep apology from all of us 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".

But O'Neill is refusing to criticise the Celtic supporters for celebrating a league title win.

"Pitch invasions are not new at the end of the day. And if you want to stop all pitch invasions, well, that's up to the authorities.

"I think you're taking the emotion out of the game.

"I believe, and one doesn't know things for certain, but at the end of it all, if Hearts had beaten us at Tynecastle, and their fans spilled onto the pitch in euphoric glee, then I think I would have some understanding of that.

"It's easy to say from here [now] that it hasn't happened, but I think I would.

"I don't think I would condemn supporters in any way. Are you saying when the final whistle goes that people cannot come onto the pitch?

"It won't be taken out of the game. I'll tell you something now, I bet you there'll be another pitch invasion in the next 10 years if a team wins a league or a cup."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Qatar: Nathan Collins earns The Boys in Green narrow friendly win as both sides end with 10 men

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Qatar: Nathan Collins earns The Boys in Green narrow friendly win as both sides end with 10 men

Captain Nathan Collins headed the Republic of Ireland to a 1-0 friendly victory over World Cup-bound Qatar as both sides were reduced to 10 men.Collin...

Champions League final predictions and best bets: Arsenal to go from nearly-men to double winners by beating PSG

Champions League final predictions and best bets: Arsenal to go from nearly-men to double winners by beating PSG

Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final and by ending their wait for the Premier League title, the Gunners have removed the fea...

Liverpool reach out to Jurgen Klopp with Andoni Iraola top target if Arne Slot sacked - Paper Talk

Liverpool reach out to Jurgen Klopp with Andoni Iraola top target if Arne Slot sacked - Paper Talk

The top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday's newspapers...Liverpool have sensationally reached out to Jurgen Klopp as they consider the future...

England World Cup squad: Thomas Tuchel defends his 'specialist' selections after Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire left out

England World Cup squad: Thomas Tuchel defends his 'specialist' selections after Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire left out

Thomas Tuchel has defended his England World Cup selection by insisting he has "specialists" in his squad ready to form a "brotherhood" to win the tou...

England World Cup squad announcement: Ruthless Thomas Tuchel leaves big names out of 26-man squad

England World Cup squad announcement: Ruthless Thomas Tuchel leaves big names out of 26-man squad

Ruthless Thomas Tuchel has left a number of high-profile names out of his England squad for the World Cup, while striker Ivan Toney has earned a shock...

Pep Guardiola to leave Man City: Spaniard announces departure after a decade of success at Premier League club

Pep Guardiola to leave Man City: Spaniard announces departure after a decade of success at Premier League club

Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City this summer after a trophy-laden decade in charge. "And what a time we have had together," said Guardiola in...