Hearts player assault twist as Police Scotland arrest man for alleged incident at Celtic Park title decider

Police Scotland have arrested a man for alleged assault on a Hearts player during the pitch invasion at Celtic Park earlier this year. Investigations are ongoing following the disorder on 16 May, when two late goals secured Celtic the Scottish Premiership title in the final minutes of the season. Thousands of Celtic fans ran onto the pitch after Callum Osmand put their team 3-1 ahead, some accosted and goaded visiting players, and one 38-year-old man has now been arrested for assault.

The Edinburgh News understands that the incident in question relates to an alleged strike on one of the Hearts players. Several of the visiting team were escorted off the field by police and stewards for their own safety amid ugly scenes at the end of the match. The Tynecastle side promptly left the stadium and their team bus was given a police escort out of Glasgow while Celtic continued celebrating inside the ground.

Police Scotland confirmed that a man has been charged with assault and will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court. A statement read: “A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an assault which happened at the Celtic v Hearts fixture at Celtic Park on Saturday, 16 May, 2026. He is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.” So far, one additional arrest has been made in relation to a breach of the peace incident at the match.

Hearts issued a statement following the game and said the scenes had shamed Scottish football. It 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. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.”

Celtic responded 24 hours later with an apology to Hearts. Their statement read: “Everyone at the club congratulates Martin [O’Neill], our players and all our staff on delivering the club’s 56th Scottish league title and a thrilling climax to the season backed by a magnificent support. We thank Celtic fans for everything they have done to help the team over the line.

“The club regrets that our victory over Hearts was followed by a number of individuals entering the field of play. We again emphasise that there is no justification for this behaviour which, for the vast majority of Celtic supporters, only detracts from the joy of such occasions. Celtic will co-operate fully with any investigation and with the SPFL in their own processes.

“We also apologise to Hearts for the situation encountered by their players and staff at the conclusion of the game, and for the fact that these events prevented them from saluting their own supporters at the end of an enthralling campaign, to which they have contributed so much.”

Celtic manager O’Neill stated publicly that he disagreed that the Celtic Park disorder brought shame on Scottish football. Days later, he admitted an apology would be required if assaults on any Hearts players were proven. “If that's the case, then obviously there would be a deep apology from all of us at Celtic Park, but that has not been proved,” commented O’Neill. “If that hasn't been proved, then that's a fairly severe allegation. That has not been proved. If it is eventually proved - and there has been a lot of searching around over videos and things like that here - obviously, that would be very serious indeed.”