Hearts players were allegedly attacked by Celtic fans during a pitch invasion at Celtic Park after the hosts won the Scottish Premiership in dramatic fashion.
Martin O’Neill’s side beat Hearts 3-1 with two late goals to lift yet another title, but the moment was marred by ugly scenes after Callum Osmand sealed the victory in the eighth minute of added time.
A wild pitch invasion ensued following the goal, and some fans attacked the devastated Hearts players, with captain Lawrence Shankland seen being punched and kicked in shocking scenes.
Eyewitnesses reported that Shankland tried to defend himself before he was led away by police, with several of his team-mates also caught up in trouble.
Former Scotland international expressed his disgust at the attack on Shankland on BBC Radio 5 Live as he said: ‘Totally and utterly sickening, disgraceful. A horrible scene.’
On Sky Sports’ coverage of the game, James McFadden added: ‘You don’t want to see it. It’s a game of football, you’ve got two teams who have earned the right to go toe to toe in a game like today and the winner emerges with the trophy.
Hearts players were allegedly attacked by Celtic fans during a pitch invasion at Celtic Park
‘Hearts have played their part by a huge stretch and you don’t want to see any overspill and with fans – I understand the emotion of the game and the occasion – they’ve got a right to celebrate but you can’t cross the line.
‘And if it’s correct, that Hearts players have been assaulted then that is absolutely acceptable.
‘There has been so many things wrong with the game up here this season and we have to address it.’
Amid the chaotic scenes, Hearts’ players and staff were then seen making a hasty exit from the stadium, with many seen still in their kit as they made their way onto the team bus less than 30 minutes after the full-time whistle.
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