Hearts players and those connected to the club have continued to voice frustration over the outcome of the Scottish Premiership title race, drawing criticism from Celtic supporters.
Cammy Devlin became the latest Hearts figure to speak publicly about the result, telling media that he believes what happened to his side was “unjust.”
Celtic secured the championship in circumstances that Hearts have disputed, with much of their grievance centred on a controversial penalty awarded during Celtic’s match at Motherwell.
The argument put forward by Celtic observers is that even without that Motherwell penalty, Celtic possessed the quality and momentum to win the title regardless of the circumstances.
Hearts entered the final day of the season against Celtic at Celtic Park needing only a draw to claim the championship, having finished the campaign level on points with their rivals.
Rather than pushing for goals, Hearts adopted a defensive approach, sitting back and attempting to absorb pressure from the home side, a decision that ultimately did not pay off.
Celtic supporters and commentators argue that Hearts surrendered their own destiny by playing conservatively in a match they needed to avoid losing, rather than playing with ambition.
Critics also pointed to the decision to leave Hearts’ Player of the Year on the bench as a tactical call that undermined the Edinburgh club’s chances at the most critical moment of the season.
Celtic had failed to beat Hearts across the entire season prior to that final fixture, yet Hearts still could not hold the draw they needed to clinch what would have been a historic title.
The club’s away record throughout the campaign has also been highlighted as a key factor, with observers noting that stronger results on the road would have made the final day irrelevant.
Separate questions have surfaced around Hearts regarding striker Lawrence Shankland, whose contract situation allowed him to leave the club on a free transfer to a potential league rival.
Critics suggest the ongoing grievance narrative surrounding refereeing decisions has drawn attention away from internal decisions at Hearts that warrant serious scrutiny and accountability.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is expected to discuss his future at the club following a season that delivered a domestic double, with supporters anticipating an announcement in the coming weeks.
Celtic finished the season as double winners, and the broader feeling among their support is that the title was earned over 38 league fixtures, not decided by a single refereeing decision.
The position among Celtic observers is clear: Hearts had the title in their hands on the final day and did not take the opportunity when it was there for them to take.
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