Martin O’Neill discloses major phone number leak before dramatic Celtic vs Hearts clash

Martin O’Neill has revealed he received roughly 250 phone calls ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title showdown with Hearts — most of them far from supportive.

Despite the intense pressure surrounding the decisive fixture, O’Neill guided Celtic F.C. to a dramatic 3-1 victory over Heart of Midlothian F.C. to secure another league crown.

The match, however, did not end without controversy. A late goal from Callum Osmand triggered scenes of celebration as supporters flooded onto the pitch, sparking days of debate and criticism in the aftermath.

Reflecting on the build-up and outside noise, O’Neill admitted he had expected the reaction and insisted it had not affected him. The experienced manager brushed off the volume of hostile messages, describing it as part of the reality surrounding such a high-pressure occasion.

Hearts later voiced frustration over the handling of the match’s conclusion, arguing that the incident risked creating a dangerous precedent where pitch invasions could influence when games are brought to an end.

The controversy deepened further when Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom alleged that two Hearts players were assaulted during the chaotic scenes involving celebrating Celtic supporters.