Martin O'Neill makes Hearts prediction for next season as Celtic boss addresses pitch invasion furore
The Celtic manager has weighed in amid the fallout from Hearts’ clash with the Hoops last weekend.
Martin O’Neill expects Hearts to return stronger next season - as the Celtic manager weighs in on pitch invasion drama.
The Jambos lost the Premiership title on the final day of this season last weekend against O’Neill’s side. Drama has rumbled on for almost a week post-match with Hearts writing to the Scottish FA and the Scottish Professional Football League requesting answers on the events at Parkhead.
They are unhappy over how proceedings ended with home fans entering the pitch amid claims some players in maroon were assaulted. Hearts are still aggrieved at how they were treated on the day despite Celtic’s public apology. O’Neill stated on national radio earlier this week that he disagreed with Hearts’ stance that the scenes at Celtic Park embarrassed Scottish football, branding them “nonsense.”
What has Martin O’Neill said about Hearts next season?
Speaking ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic, O’Neill has responded to the fiery fallout, while anticipating a resurgent Jambos in the wake of title pain. The Celtic manager said: “There were seasons where we lost the league on the very last day. I know what that feels like.
“Sometimes you have to go through that experience and come back stronger from it. I’m sure Hearts will come back stronger next season .Do you know how long it took to clear the pitch? Two minutes and 50 seconds. What has happened is that people have taken the emotion out of the game.
“I didn’t know what Hearts’ argument was at the end of the day. Because the pitch invasion had taken place? Had the game finished or not? Were we going to go back and play the last 15 seconds if that was the case? It has grown arms and legs since then, which I thought it would do. The minute Hearts complained about it, I knew it would grow. There have been other pitch invasions here in this country.
Celtic vs Hearts pitch invasion reaction
“There was one at Kilmarnock when they got promoted and Derek was on the pitch. If pitch invasions are going to be universally blocked, fine. If it’s a criminal offence to go onto the pitch, that’s something else. I’m not sure, in the euphoria, if there’s going to be a universal ban on people coming onto the pitch, that something would be lost from the game.
“I’m saying that when the result has gone for me. I desperately hope I would say the same thing if the result went against me. I don’t know this for certain, but, had the situation been reversed and it had happened at Hearts, I think there wouldn’t have been the clamour that there has been here.
“I do agree with the club in apologising for the Hearts players not getting the opportunity to acknowledge their own fans and for their fans to show their appreciation for their efforts. Regardless of all of this, Hearts’ participation has made it a season to remember. I’ve not spoken to him, but I’ve shaken hands with Derek, praised him and said he deserves to be manager of the year.”
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