Celtic v Hearts and the Dramatic Story of a Final Day Decider

In Celtic’s history, there have been numerous moments of tension and drama. Yet today’s game versus Hearts promises to be truly remarkable. Quite simply, it will be the most significant domestic game to take place at Celtic Park this century…

In Celtic’s 55 title wins, 21 of them have happened at the Bhoys’ home venue. However, excluding 2020 for COVID reasons, not since the excitement of 1998 has this been a final day. On that occasion, St Johnstone came to Glasgow’s east end.

Harald Brattbakk’s 72nd minute strike

Only a Celtic victory would guarantee a first title in a decade and stop Rangers’ pursuit of ten-in-a-row. Despite an early Henrik Larsson goal, the Celts could not get a decisive second. That is until Harald Brattbakk’s 72nd minute strike finally settled nerves and got the party started.

Of course, there have been other thrilling final day league wins too. Perhaps the most obvious of these was when Hearts were broken in 1986 thanks to Albert Kidd’s Dundee double whilst Celtic slammed five past St Mirren at Love Street.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink goal gave Celtic the title 

There was a further Tayside connection in 2008 when Celtic went to Tannadice and became champions; a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink goal gave the Bhoys a 1-0 win and all three points.

Yet dramatic though all these games were, none of them involved a head-to-head battle with Celtic’s direct rivals for the title. In fact, only twice in the club’s unbroken history has this happened.
On both occasions it was Rangers who were the opponents – but each game happened in very different circumstances.

Celtic v Rangers – a one-game playoff was held to decide that season’s champions

The first came more than 120 years ago. On that 1905 occasion, Celtic and Rangers finished on level points. In those days, tied teams were not separated by goal difference or anything else. Instead, a one-game playoff was held to decide that season’s champions.

On 6 May 1905, the two teams headed to the neutral venue of Hampden Park for this most decisive of matches. By the time the full-time whistle was sounded, it was the Celts who enjoyed a two-goal victory. The Bhoys were champions for the first time in the twentieth-century, the start of what became a then world-record of six successive titles.

‘Ten Men Won the League’

Fast forwarding 74 years, Celtic once more had a final day shootout with Rangers to settle ownership of the league flag. On 21 May 1979, the Light Blues travelled to Glasgow’s east end – and they could not have had a better start.

By half-time, the visitors were one goal ahead. And six minutes into the second half, Johnny Doyle was sent off for the Hoops. All looked to be lost. Instead, what happened next was the renowned ‘Ten Men Won the League’ effort with Celtic claiming a 4-2 victory.

That famed night took place 46 years ago and remains one of the club’s all-time greatest moments. And now Hearts come to Celtic Park in very similar circumstances.

The Celts have experience of beating Hearts to claim the title. Four times this has happened – three times at Tynecastle (1970, 2017 and 2023) and once at Celtic Park (2006). But none of those matches carried the tension which will be evident today.

The eyes of the footballing world will be on Celtic Park today

It is fair to say that Celtic have not been at their best this season. And yet victory today will set them up to achieve an entirely unlikely League and Scottish Cup double. For all Scottish football’s criticisms, the eyes of the footballing world will today be on the G40 postcode area.

It is to be hoped that by full-time, they have witnessed another of the great and memorable Celtic days. Come on you Bhoys in green!

Matthew Marr

Follow Matthew on x @hailhailhistory

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