Industry Expert: SPFL to issue Celtic points deduction punishment as 'photographic evidence' emerges

Celtic will most likely receive a suspended points deduction and a fine for their fans invading the pitch against Hearts.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who believes the authorities will sweep the situation under the carpet.

Celtic fans ran onto the pitch following Callum Osmand’s 98th minute goal which clinched the Scottish Premiership title against Hearts, who only needed a point on the final day to win the trophy themselves.

Whilst the SPFL have released a statement saying that the match was not abandoned, there is uncertainty over whether referee Don Robertson blew the final whistle.

It is not the first time this season that Celtic fans have entered the field of play, with their Scottish Cup match against Rangers in March ending with supporters of both clubs clashing on the pitch.

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Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – would like to see Celtic given a big punishment to put an end to fans invading the pitch.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Hearts should be awarded the title if the game was abandoned.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “There’s photographic evidence I’ve seen of Celtic players and substitutes running onto the pitch when the game is still being played, and before the ball was put in the net for the third goal.

“They were actually encroaching onto the pitch. All sorts of things can happen. My gut feeling is, having observed Scottish football and having been part of it for many years, the powers that be will cave in and give Celtic a big fine and a small suspended points deduction for next year.

“They’ll try and sweep it all under the carpet that way. What I’d rather see is if this game was abandoned, they would give the actual trophy to Hearts. This tries to put an end to fans coming onto the pitch in situations like that. That’s the bigger issue.

“We’ve already had it at the Old Firm game earlier in the season. It’s got to be stopped and the only way to do this is to make something as dramatic as this. There’ll be a lot of flak, but I’m afraid that’s the only way I can see it.”

Celtic now have their full focus on their Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline at Hampden Park, which could be the last game for interim boss Martin O’Neill.

O’Neill is only contracted until the summer, and Celtic are expected to hire a new permanent manager once the season ends.

Wyness told Football Insider that O’Neill should not remain in the Celtic dugout beyond this season, and he has urged the 74-year-old to move into a position behind the scenes.

The Glasgow club have not had a Head of Football Operations since Paul Tisdale left in January, whilst keeping O’Neill would be a positive move with the fanbase.