Alistair Johnston’s curious Martin O’Neill request after Celtic win title

On Saturday afternoon, Celtic clinched their fifth straight Scottish Premiership title after a dramatic 3-1 victory over Hearts at Celtic Park.

The Hoops had gone 1-0 down in the first half, but a stoppage-time penalty from Arne Engels leveled proceedings heading into the interval.

It looked for a while as if Hearts were going to hold on for a draw and subsequently win their first league title in over 60 years, but Daizen Maeda’s finish three minutes from time put Celtic back in front, having initially been ruled out for offside.

Then, deep into stoppage time, a Hearts free kick failed to beat the first man, allowing Celtic to have three men forward against an unguarded net, and Callum Osmand – who had set Maeda’s goal up – walked the ball in to secure the title.

Martin O’Neill came in to clear up the mess before him and save Celtic not once but twice this season. As a result, right-back Alistair Johnston made a request when speaking about the gaffer after the game: “He’s a winner, I’ll tell you that much.

You just gotta build a statue, simple as that. He just finds a way to win, and it’s been unbelievable playing for him this year. I’m just so happy that we’re able to give him this. Now we’ve got a cup final to go for in a week.”

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