The Albany Gazette - Hearts broken as O'Neill summons Celtic's champion spirit

The Jambos led for almost the entire campaign and were minutes away from their first title for 60 years until two late goals snatched a 3-1 win for Celtic on Saturday and broke hearts in Edinburgh.

There could still be repercussions to come as home fans spilled onto the pitch with Hearts players confronted on their way off the field.

The visitors boarded their team bus still in their kit moments later to make the sobering trek back to the Scottish capital.

For months it appeared the stars had aligned for fan-owned Hearts in a season when both Celtic and Rangers imploded.

Buoyed by the arrival of Brighton owner Tony Bloom as an investor and the use of his data analytics firm that has pioneered efficient recruitment in the transfer market, Derek McInnes' men stormed out of the blocks.

They took 22 points from the first 24 available to build a lead that they held from October until the 87th minute on Saturday when Daizen Maeda put Celtic in front.

For older Hearts fans it will invoke painful memories of also losing the title on the final day in 1965 and 1986.

Twenty years ago Celtic surged past on the final day to win the title on goal difference after Hearts conceded twice in the final seven minutes to lose at Dundee.

- 'Surreal' -

History repeated itself as the Glasgow giants pulled themselves off the canvas to win their last seven league games.

Celtic's eight league defeats are the most they have suffered since the season before Martin O'Neill first arrived as manager in 1999/2000.

Twice the under fire Celtic board turned to O'Neill to take over with the club in turmoil this season and his experience dragged them over the line.

"It's really surreal," said the 74-year-old. "I think it was last year I came along (to Celtic Park) as a pundit or something, so a year later to be here as the manager of the football club, it's just incredible really. I genuinely can't believe it. It's like a dream."

O'Neill first stepped in after Brendan Rodgers resigned in the wake of persistent clashes with the board over a lack of investment in the squad.

After steadying the ship, he passed the batton onto Wilfried Nancy, who lasted just 33 days after losing six of his eight games in charge.

O'Neill's return in January amid persistent fan protests for boardroom change helped bring the club back together.

"We made plenty of mistakes but there is plenty of courage in the team. I'm not talking about physical courage but mental courage which has carried us over the line," added the Northern Irishman.

"Celtic today, when there is unison in the stadium, it's rocking. They never give up."

But they also had luck on their side.

The decision to award a late penalty to beat Motherwell in the penultimate game of the campaign and set up the final day shootout was fiercely criticised.

McInnes branded that call "disgusting" and did not hang around to do his post-match media duties in the aftermath of the anarchy at the end of the game.

Hearts must hope they are just at the beginning of Bloom's 10-year plan to wrestle away the stranglehold of Scottish football held by the Old Firm.

However, the face a long summer ahead to reflect on what might have been.

(F.Allen--TAG)