How Celtic turned a season of turmoil into title triumph

Celtic have turned a season of turmoil into a title, when at times no one thought it possible they would be crowned champions again.

Martin O’Neill’s side sealed the title with a 3–1 victory over Hearts at a packed Celtic Park, overturning the long-time leaders on a dramatic final day.

Derek McInnes’ Jambos – having been top all the way since late September – arrived knowing a draw would be enough to secure the top-flight title for the first time since 1960.

But their stunning bid for glory, which made headlines worldwide, ended in the cruellest fashion as late goals from Daizen Maeda and substitute Callum Osmand settled the contest.

After three managers, a civil war between fans and board members, and a series of out-of-character results for a side usually so dominant, the Hoops have their hands on a fifth league title in a row.

But how did they do it? A season of turmoil on and off the pitch has led to perhaps the most unlikely of Celtic triumphs in recent memory.

Sport

Celtic defeat Hearts 3-1 to claim 14th Scottish Premiership title in 15 years

Hearts title dream was ended after two late strikes

‘Toxic’ Rodgers exit and the Almaty disaster

Celtic fans have been put through the emotional wringer this year, and it all started in bad taste with Champions League elimination at the hands of Kazakhstan minnows Kairat Almaty.

That was under Brendan Rodgers, whose trail of success at the club was left somewhat in the rear-view mirror when Celtic’s largest individual shareholder, Dermot Desmond, criticised the outgoing manager for creating a “toxic atmosphere”.

Desmond blamed recent failings on “one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others” and accused Rodgers of “divisive, misleading, and self-serving” behaviour in an explosive statement.

Brendan Rodgers left the club in October SNS Group

It was in October that Rodgers left his role after a 3-1 defeat to Hearts, with the Hoops then eight points behind the Tynecastle side at the top of the Premiership.

That had followed a transfer window that left fans with their heads in their hands as Celtic made just five permanent moves, three of which barely made a dent in their title challenge.

And while Hoops top scorer this season, Benjamin Nygren, would turn out to be a success, and the return of Kieran Tierney brought good faith to the fans, recruitment was heavily criticised.

Civil War: Bans and board members

A cocktail of grievances then led to Celtic fans, bolstered by vocal supporters such as the Green Brigade, taking action against the club’s board.

Chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson, along with Desmond, bore the brunt of fan ire, which led to a nasty public spat, and the Green Brigade were banned for a number of months.

Celtic supporters protest against the board at Firhill. SNS Group

Heavy protests in and around Celtic Park followed, with board members targeted at games. Ultimately, Lawwell stepped aside citing alarming threats and abuse as the reason for his decision.

In the end, it was agreed the supporters group could return for the run-in but with questions still to be answered about the direction of the club going forward.

Oh no Nancy but make way for Martin

Celtic fans may be going into the final game of the season wondering where they would be if not for the frankly disastrous appointment of Wilfried Nancy.

The unknown entity from the MLS came with a point to prove, but after 33 days, Celtic got Tinder-style regret for swiping right on the Columbus Crew boss.

Nancy’s record from his time in Glasgow will read as eight games in charge with just two wins and six sorry defeats, including losing to Hearts, Rangers and losing the League Cup final.

And in the midst of the chaos, Celtic called on a familiar hero in Martin O’Neill, who had barely returned to finish his coffee in London before making the journey back to Parkhead.

O’Neill had been inserted on an interim basis following the exit of Rodgers, and steadied the ship with seven wins from eight.

He was then brought back on a deal until the end of the season, and has played his part in dragging the champions’ season back from the dead.

In the 24 matches since the 74-year-old returned to the dugout, Celtic have lost just twice in the league and drawn the same.

O’Neill’s men have claimed 53 points from a possible 63 since his return.

And for the man who led Celtic to such dizzying heights in his first spell at the club, Martin O’Neill’s legendary return will be forever etched in the club’s history.

How did Celtic do it?

Simply put, Celtic’s season looked over. Entering the post-split fixtures, the bookmakers had the Hoops third favourites at best.

But with Rangers falling by the wayside, and Hearts hitting a few stumbling blocks, the intrepid attitude of some of the club’s most important players has shone through.

Kieran Tierney, back from the abyss at Arsenal, to once again realise a boyhood dream. Callum McGregor, the ever-present captain with never-ending belief, to bring yet another trophy home.

Kelechi Iheanacho, a veteran, whose career looked to be on the wane when he agreed to cancel his deal at Sevilla and who has proven to be a slick piece of free transfer business.

Benjamin Nygren, the club’s top scorer this season, whose goals have catapulted Celtic up the table.

The Hoops had scored 10 goals after the 90-minute mark this season, six of which had been winners.

It’s that never-say-die attitude, seen previously under the success of Ange Postecoglou, that has reared its head again at the most opportune time.

For a club so used to wrapping the league up with weeks to spare, this one, under the context of this season, may be the sweetest of all for Celtic fans.