Celtic could face a points deduction after the shocking scenes following their goal against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title decider.
Celtic pipped Hearts to the Scottish Premiership title following their dramatic 3-1 victory at Celtic Park on Saturday.
The visitors took the lead in their crunch league clash as Lawrence Shankland headed home three minutes before the break. But the hosts hit back immediately when Arne Engels converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Celtic left it late to win the game as Daizen Maeda scored four minutes before time, with Callum Osmand adding a third in injury time, prompting wild scenes.
Fans streamed out of the stands and spilled onto the pitch after Osmand ran clear to make it 3-1 in the 98th minute.
Shankland clashed with Celtic fans as the controversial scenes overshadowed the occasion.
Ex-Scottish Football Association Chief Executive Gives Punishment Verdict
Former Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith says Celtic should be deducted points following the pitch invasion against Hearts.
Speaking on the BBC’s Radio Scotland Breakfast, he said: “I do feel the best way to do it is that the fans know that by doing it they are getting their club punished. I think that would maybe make a difference in terms of their behaviour.”
Asked what penalties clubs should face for pitch invasions, Smith replied: “I would say if it’s a league game they should have points deducted from them or whatever.”
Celtic Could Be Handed 2026/27 Points Deduction
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes a points deduction scenario is the most likely outcome of Celtic’s punishment verdict.
He also doesn’t envision a replay between Celtic and Hearts, suggesting the Scottish champions will be deducted points at the start of next season.
“The Scottish FA will be carrying out a review fairly quickly, I’d have thought, of what took place,” he told Football Insider.
“There is a series of challenges that they must find the answer to. The fans came onto the pitch when, for what they considered to be, the end of the game. Was it the end of the game?
“The general practice is to restart the game after a goal is scored. They’ve got to clarify if the game was formally ended, and how that conclusion was reached. Or was the incursion onto the pitch the deciding factor?
“If he didn’t blow the whistle, the Scottish FA have a difficult task. Are they going to issue a replay? It’s unlikely. A dozen and one will be on planes flying across the world.
“The idea of a replay is an impossibility. I think the leaning will be towards, potentially, a points deduction at the start of next season. That might be what they consider the right outcome.”