Celtic vs Hearts final whistle explained as SPFL await report

Don Robertson has confirmed he blew the final whistle at Celtic Park <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Don Robertson has confirmed he blew the final whistle at Celtic Park (Image: PA)
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Referee Don Robertson has informed SPFL delegates that the final whistle was blown in the title-decider between Celtic and Hearts.

It's understood that the match official confirmed to SPFL officials post-match that the fixture was not abandoned and he had blown the final whistle as normal at Celtic Park.

It comes after a pitch invasion occurred after Callum Osmand's goal to make it 3-1 to Celtic deep into stoppage time.

Hearts had sent goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow up in a desperate bid to equalise to win the league crown, but Celtic cleared with Osmand knocking the ball into an empty net.

Celtic supporters then invaded the pitch in celebration of the match and league victory, with Hearts players led off the pitch amid reports of alleged assaults.


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Celtic had scored their third goal, to seal the win, with 20 seconds remaining of the allotted eight minutes of additional time. The match would not restart with the final whistle blown amid the pitch invasion.

There had been intense debate online over whether the final whistle was blown or the match had been abandoned, but Herald Sport understands confirmation has been received by the SPFL from the match official that he did blow the final whistle.

It's understood the SPFL will await the report from the match delegate before considering any action over the pitch invasion at Celtic Park.

Hearts players left the stadium in their full kit after the final day defeat with a police escort in place for the team bus as it left Glasgow to return to Tynecastle.

Captain Lawrence Shankland had been targeted by Celtic supporters during the pitch invasion, with stewards and team-mates surrounding him amid taunts from rival fans in close proximity.

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