Hearts issue statement condemning 'deeply disturbing' and 'shameful' scenes at Celtic Park
Hearts have issued a strongly-worded statement saying players and staff have reported serious physical and verbal abuse following the "deeply disturbing" and "shameful" scenes at Celtic Park.
On Saturday afternoon, thousands of Celtic fans invaded the pitch after a 97th-minute goal from Callum Osmand secured the Scottish Premiership title on a dramatic final day in Glasgow.
It was heartbreak for Hearts, who had led the way for 250 days of the season and only needed to avoid defeat at Celtic Park to win the league.
That misery was compounded in the dying stages, when a number of Celtic supporters appeared to target Hearts players, who were soon ushered down the tunnel amid concerns for their safety.
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In fact, the Edinburgh-based side have now claimed that players and staff have reported serious physical and verbal abuse following the scenes that have, in their own words, embarrassed Scottish football.
The club also confirmed that they are in dialogue with Police Scotland and expect the "strongest action possible" to be taken by the footballing authorities.
Hearts' statement on Saturday's events at Celtic Park in full
A club statement read: "Heart of Midlothian utterly condemns the shameful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon which have, once again, embarrassed Scottish football.
"Reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing. We are investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland.
"We will make no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff were put in that situation.
"Given the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium, our entire staff had no alternative but to leave immediately, without undertaking post-match media duties. To our media partners, we apologise but the safety of our staff was our prime focus during these unacceptable scenes.
"The pitch invasion caused a chaotic end and nobody seemed to know whether or not the match had been brought to a finish. Our players were then denied the opportunity to thank our magnificent fans – sensational to a person – for their backing this afternoon and all season long.
"We expect the strongest action possible to be taken by the footballing authorities in the interests of protecting the safety of players and supporters, and the integrity of our game.
"This season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland, but the world over. We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season."
The club added: "None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded."
Pundits condemn "unacceptable" scenes at full-time
James McFadden, the former Scotland striker, slammed the actions of some Celtic supporters.
"This is unacceptable," he said on Sky Sports. "The players should be safe on the football pitch. You do not want to see it. There will always be people spoiling it for everyone else.
"You can hear the reaction from the majority of the Celtic fans in here with the fans on the pitch, the booing.
"You don't want to see it. It's a game of football, you have got two teams that have earned the right to go toe-to-toe on a day like this, and the winner emerges with the trophy. Hearts have played their part by a huge stretch, and you don't want to see an overspill of fans.
"I understand the emotion of the occasion; you have a right to celebrate but you can't cross the line. If that is right that Hearts players have been assaulted, that is absolutely unacceptable."
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, who was also on punditry duty, added: "There's no place for it. You can imagine how the Hearts players felt after such a long season and then losing at the end."
Topics: Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Scotland
Jack Kenmare