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00:00been that long ago a record 56th title a fifth in a row and 22 years on from winning his
00:07third title
00:07as manager martin o'neill adds a fourth and james you can see the celebrations in that dressing room
00:15you can see the celebrations in the stand here we said before the game celtic are so used to winning
00:21titles but this one actually does feel a little bit different now that they've got it over the
00:26life yeah they're used to winning titles and normally they're done before this fixture
00:32they've shown a tremendous amount of character you have to say you heard alice johnson karen
00:37tierney speaking about the influence of carl mcgregor and we hear often having players that
00:42have been there and done it know what it means there was a probably a huge reflection required
00:47after the dundee united game and you know chris certain said after the game that they'd have to
00:52win the last seven games and not many people believed they would well the players did because
00:58they went they went and got the job done um and you know showed again today why they've got that
01:04that
01:05special character but i have to say full credit to hearts for this season i mean what a season from
01:12them
01:12it is heartbreak for them and they will take a lot of time to go over this but when they've
01:19got a chance
01:19to reflect they have to sit back and say look at what we managed to do this season they've pushed
01:25celtic all the way that's the closest title they've been in and any of the titles have won for i
01:31don't know
01:31how long and that is a credit to hearts to derrick mcquinnis they've pushed them all the way and they're
01:37so
01:38costly holding on for that fairytale ending with celtic are champions and they've shown exactly why they
01:45have been over the years not not a great season overall in terms of quality for celtic loads of
01:51turmoil up evil in the boardroom on the pitch in the stands in the dugout but they've managed to come
01:57through it and show the character that they've shown so many times but they know they've been
02:02in a fight they've taken some blows this season but they've managed to come out on top a celebration
02:08for celtic by john once again for hearts so so close and like james says they've added so much to
02:15this season they've been such a huge part of the story but when it ends like this the hurt in
02:20that
02:20dressing room right now must just be horrendous for all of them that's massive there's no sugar coating
02:26it you know second is nothing now it's a simple straightforward that it was win winner takes
02:31all and it's starting well they get the goal they lose the goal right in half time but second half
02:36it
02:36didn't look like celtic were going to keep opening them up and they've shot away early and that's it
02:41they'll go back to think castle james is right when they reflect on the season of hand it's been
02:46sensational it's been a kelsey's nose players have done everything that manager has done everything
02:51these fans have done everything to get up on the line and they've not managed it um but what a
02:56season they've had but right now that's no consolation to them they'll be absolutely sick
03:02they'll be absolutely gutted there'll be no consolation of what they've done yeah other people
03:08will say yeah they've done this they've done that done this and that but right now they'll be
03:12absolutely devastated yeah they've left in their full kit as well james they didn't get changed that's
03:17them leaving right now and you can understand but also the scenes at the end when supporters came on
03:22the pitch we are hearing reports that there were some assaults towards harsh players and that is
03:27something that we do not want to see from supporters on the pitch at any time in football it's football
03:33at
03:33the end of the day yeah i mean you can hear the reaction from the majority of the celtic fans
03:38in here
03:38with the fans on the pitch the boon um you don't want to see it it's you know it's a
03:43game of football
03:44you've got two teams that have earned the right to go on a day like today and the winner emerges
03:50with
03:50the trophy hearts of hearts have played their part by you know a huge stretch and you don't want to
03:57see
03:57you know overspill the fans i understand the emotion of the of the game and the occasion and
04:04and all people would say you know celtic fans you win all the time why they're so overjoyed but they
04:08still
04:09win a league title they've got a right to celebrate but you can't cross a line and when you cross
04:13it
04:14line and if that's correct that there's you know hearts players being assaulted then that is
04:18absolutely unacceptable the scenes that there's been so many things wrong with the game up here
04:23this season and we have to address it but i think we need to look at what hearts have managed
04:29to
04:30achieve this season and they don't want pats in the back and it's not patronizing to say oh well
04:34done that was good hearts have shown everyone they're here to stay this is not a one-off from hearts
04:39hearts have really disrupted the way that things are done here they bring this to the end of the
04:44season but it's it's a real sword one for them going off into the the bus with their their full
04:49kit on they just want to get away and they want to go and stew and they want to go
04:53and hurt and feel
04:53the hurt and they have to feel the hurt but they will be back this is not a season you
04:58know a one-off
04:58season a one-hit wonder for hearts hearts are building something special here they will come again
05:04they've shown they're a force to be reckoned with at no point in this season did you see hearts buckling
05:09under the pressure that everybody expected them to buckle they've not got over the line but i don't
05:14think you can be critical of that they've given absolutely everything they've been a joy this season
05:18hearts fair play to them means nothing to them me saying that but i think it has to be said
05:23that hearts
05:24have been a an absolute tremendous addition in terms of what they've brought to the league this season
05:30and will continue to bring in the years to come and that's the thing john we've had the most
05:36incredible final day in this incredible season that we've had of this title race that has ebbed and
05:42flowed twisted and turned all along the way and we don't want what hearts have done and what
05:47celtic have done in the last seven games to be lost in controversy around supporters that can't
05:53behave themselves around controversy to do with with var calls that went one way or the other you want
05:59to be talking about the football because we've seen some cracking football yeah i mean we've had an
06:03unbelievable season there was a three horse race right up to the split then rangers fell away at
06:09the split and it become a two horse race and you kept looking at celtic saying are they going to
06:13stumble they didn't fair play them seven straight wins by the way a two horse a three horse race and
06:19a
06:19two horse race at hearts were leading yeah the whole way so which makes the heart certainly all the more
06:26difficult to take four hearts but if you're wondering where scott brown's gone there he is
06:31he has the honor of taking the trophy out of the tunnel to present it to celtic for a record
06:3756
06:39time there are the players ready to come out of the tunnel for their big moment that seemed so far
06:45away
06:45at times this season so let's rejoin chris and ian for the trophy presentation well in this most
06:52unfamiliar of seasons in scotland there are familiar scenes come the end
07:04boy akin
07:08leading the way scott brown will have the trophy
07:15he won 20 trophies as captain only billy mcneill one more but callum mcgregor will be getting to
07:24grips with his 10th as dermot desmond watches on
07:36from the dark days of december to another bright day in may that will be cherished by celtic football club
07:44a record 56 scotties titles this is the celtic way
08:07there were a club embroiled in turmoil and turbulence and discord and disconnect and then martin o'neil
08:15came back to do what martin o'neil does four titles now eight trophies for celtic
08:27blew the title in the final year of his first day
08:33but not today celtic left it late but late will do when the stakes are so high
08:43and celtic park
08:49will soon rise
08:52they will rise to the champions
09:14they will rise to the champions
09:15how very martin o'neil
09:18we're going to hear from him in a moment
09:22calum mcgregor there too
09:40celtic fans singing his name and that of martin o'neil and calum mcgregor
09:58martin o'neil doing what he does okay for celtic we could be here a long time calum
10:04this is five in a row it's your 11th title can you describe how this feels
10:13yeah unbelievable um such a difficult season so many downs just start to creep the team are getting
10:20better and better the belief in this group is special like i've never seen anything like that
10:24before and typical of the the last minute performance
10:31you spoke there about the players this felt like a season that took courage spirit and as you said
10:38you've never seen anything quite like it but you didn't make this easy today either did you you left
10:43us for the last five minutes yeah it was never going to be was it really it's it's been typical
10:48of the
10:48season so we thought we'd string you out one last time and what about this crowd because the one
10:56thing they didn't do was leave you today how special has it been to win this in front of them
11:01this
11:01afternoon this is a special football club with special supporters you drag us through time and time again
11:09it is our responsibility to give you special days like this so i hope everyone enjoys it it's been such
11:16a
11:16hard season so you make sure that you have fun tonight
11:24outstanding our captain calum mcgregor i'll get calm to stay with me and i'd like to introduce the man
11:31that's done it again the legend martin o'neil
11:42what do you want me to say
11:45martin for the fourth time in your career you've guided celtic to a league title but just how special
11:51is this one well i must admit i never never in my wildest dreams did i ever think that i
11:58could
11:59experience those lads up there i know collecting and the atmosphere it's just so
12:09the players the coaching staff have given me a reason to live as much and
12:22that's not to say my family haven't you know but this is this is this is the most special place
12:29on earth i think that um yeah
12:38when there is when there is absolute unison in this stadium it is a sight to behold and i think
12:50obviously the players have been absolutely magnificent epitomized by the captain but overall
12:57we could not have won it without you absolutely not
13:03thank you very much thank you really appreciate it paradise we saw the message he's the closest thing to
13:13heaven we've ever seen martin o'neil
13:25from the depths of despair earlier in the season in fact a mere five months ago to this to this
13:33point
13:35it they call this place paradise and it's paradise one not lost again
13:50martin o'neil had it all covered after all
13:55and calum mcgregor will soon step forward to lift the scottish premiership trophy again
14:13and so the scottish season that gave us so many stories ends with the same old story celtic are champions
14:25of scotland
14:26and so
14:36and so
14:38and
14:42and
14:43and
15:02The ending of endings in the season of seasons.
15:10After an extraordinary nine and a half months,
15:13when there was so much going on,
15:16there's only one thing going on now,
15:18and it's the usual thing,
15:20a title-winning party for Celtic Football Club.
15:24Yeah, boy, they had to win it.
15:27They really have.
15:29It's been a difficult season, hasn't it?
15:32Turmoil off the pitch.
15:36The club at one time, pretty dysfunctional, really.
15:41And the angst between part of the fan base
15:44and the club hierarchy,
15:45the managers of Celtic have been through this season,
15:50but Martin O'Neill coming back not just once, but twice,
15:53holding everything together, really,
15:56like glue, and getting to Celtic,
15:57getting Celtic to this point today,
16:00where they're still in,
16:01they're still in the title race.
16:03It was pretty unbelievable,
16:05but then to see it through late on,
16:08how many late goals have we seen
16:11in this Martin O'Neill team?
16:13They've proven the team that,
16:15while not at the best this season,
16:17they have been mentality monsters.
16:21Another title by Callum McGregor and James Forrest,
16:24they keep rolling on,
16:25but just an incredible season, Ian.
16:31Well, let's have a listen
16:33to this famous tune.
16:35war Eeve Beste
16:38of the 1001
16:40...
16:41and about отд,
16:44theemployee
16:56of the Queen
16:58of the 1002
16:59of the 1001...
16:59The
17:01plan of
17:02the 1001 of
17:04the 1001 of
17:05I will speak to the song of love.
17:20I will speak to the song of love.
18:12I will speak to the song of love.
18:27A record 56 Scottish Premiership trophy lifted by Celtic and Scott, you've come back to join us.
18:36You've got the honour of walking that trophy out there.
18:38I know you've lifted so many of them as a player, but did that feel special?
18:42It definitely feels a lot heavier because I was a wee bit stronger, I think, when I was a little
18:47bit fitter as well.
18:48So it's not the only thing that's a wee bit heavier these days.
18:52No, but it's amazing to walk out in front of 60,000.
18:56It's an unbelievable arena to play football in.
18:58The support that I gave myself, but not just me, but every player that's been there and the boardroom and
19:03everything, it's all just came together at the right time.
19:05We spoke about Callum McGregor and the way he's led this team this season.
19:11It was interesting to hear from a few players talking about how much he's galvanised that dressing room and how
19:17much this celebration is for him.
19:20It's such a huge accolade from your teammates as captain, but just sum up once again how important he is
19:27to what Celtic have achieved this season.
19:29There's a heartbeat of the football club and when Celtic tick, that's because of him, he sets the standards, but
19:35he also conducts himself unbelievable on a football pitch as well.
19:39His mannerism with all the public as well.
19:42He's just a great human being, if I'm honest.
19:44He's someone that wants to be at the club, that's grown to love the club as well and knows what
19:50it's all about day to day.
19:51He is Mr Celtic, so is James A. Forrest, the two of them, and it's huge for Celtic to keep
19:57these players at the club.
19:59When it comes to Mr Celtic, James, another who fits into that category is Martin O'Neill.
20:04Scott said he should be getting a statue built outside if he got this over the line.
20:07Well, he's done that.
20:09Oh, I mean, unbelievable what Martin O'Neill has achieved this season.
20:14I mean, to come in in the first instance and steady the ship, the club was a mess, an absolute
20:19mess.
20:20And he was in for a short time and he managed to turn it around and leave them in a
20:24good position.
20:25Then Wilford Nancy came in and left it in a worse position than when Martin O'Neill picked up the
20:30first time.
20:31So, for him to come and turn that around and turn Celtic into a team that are lifting another Premiership
20:38title is quite incredible.
20:40He spoke before the game about legacy and legends at this club and I understand his sentiment that Jockstein's, you
20:47know, set the bar.
20:48The rest are just trying to follow.
20:51I mean, you can't understate what this man's done today, Martin O'Neill.
20:54So, everyone written him off when he was first appointed, even in the interim period, 73 years old, why are
21:01you bringing, you know, someone that's not managing this amount of time?
21:04But he's shown that football has changed quite a bit, but not that much.
21:10That he can come in and he can get the best out of what is available to him.
21:14Because this was a team that were massively underperforming.
21:17And it's not been vintage, you know, football, but it's been winning football.
21:21And ultimately, that's all that's mattered.
21:23Martin O'Neill, I mean, he was a legend and I'm sure when he came back in, fans felt, how
21:29can you love the man more?
21:30Well, you'll love him even more now because of what he's managed to achieve in the league.
21:34But he's potentially going for a double next week in the Scottish Cup.
21:39Had Celtic kept him in situ for one more week before they appointed Wilford Nancy, it would more than likely
21:45be a treble.
21:46That's the impact that Martin O'Neill's had.
21:47It is quite incredible, 22 years on from when he was last year winning trophies.
21:53John, you've been in the dugout at James Lane.
21:55Football's changed a bit, but not that much.
21:58How do you sum up what he's been able to come back and do from somebody who was up against
22:02him in the dugout the first time he was at Celtic?
22:04It's not in short sensational.
22:06I mean, it's a man, Bruno talks about he's played for the club.
22:10He's a man who knows the club, he knows how it works, he knows what the fans expect, he knows
22:14what to get.
22:15But you need to get stuff out of the players.
22:17And he's managed to do it, he goes about his business in the right way.
22:21This has not happened by accident.
22:23You know, he's come back in and to lead this team to seven straight victories when they were absolutely down
22:31and out.
22:31They were on the floor at Tanadice.
22:33And he's somehow managed to lift them up and take them to the title.
22:38So, you know, you cannot do anything but applaud the man.
22:42It's sensational.
22:43Again, the Hartford point of view is definitely disappointing, but what Martin O'Neill has achieved here along with his
22:49captain, you've got to take your hearts off.
22:51Well, Chris Sutton's come down and joined us pitch side, coming to join the party down here.
22:56Chris, I'm just going to take you back.
22:58I can't remember how many months ago it was when you said this Celtic team cannot win this title.
23:04Yeah, well, I often get things wrong, Ailey.
23:07And I think listening to Callum McGregor at the end there and, you know, him talking about how difficult the
23:13season has gone.
23:14I mean, I can barely hear you, but I can't hear you.
23:16I'm getting my ears in now.
23:17But, you know, Callum talking about that.
23:19Everybody knows how difficult the season has been.
23:21But in the end, the best team wins the league and Celtic have found a way under Martin O'Neill.
23:26I mean, it's absolutely incredible.
23:28You know, himself talking after Dundee United, we need to win every game.
23:32I don't know what the guys think, whether they thought that was possible.
23:34I know Brownlee, you know, listening to what he said, he sort of fancied the team in some ways.
23:39But the performances weren't there.
23:41But there is something about digging deep and finding a way.
23:45In many ways, it's been so odd, the make-up of the team.
23:49Me and that joke, can't last 90 minutes, can't last an hour.
23:53Him coming on and impacting.
23:56And today, they weren't great again.
23:58Dazen Maeda, what a strange season he's had.
24:01But towards the end, he's come good.
24:02He's like Maradona again.
24:05You say that the best team won the league.
24:08And in terms of the table, it does not lie.
24:10But, Scott, it has been an interesting season.
24:14Because for so much of it, Celtic haven't been the best team.
24:17So, what does it take to win over the course of 38 games when you know you're not at your
24:23best?
24:24Mentality.
24:25Denied.
24:26That's when you've got to make sure there's going to be referee decisions for you and against you throughout the
24:30season.
24:31But it's about the players that are in there.
24:34It's probably kicked on, and as James says, if Martin was to stay for another week, we'd have probably had
24:39a treble this season as well.
24:40And it would have been incredible.
24:42And they go to a cup final, they get beat from St Mirren at that point in time.
24:46And everyone, from top to the bottom of the club, it was downward spiral.
24:49But then Martin's came in and they saved the season yet again.
24:52And not just Martin, but Sean, there's Fozzie there as well.
24:55And you've got to give them all so much praise because of how well they've done.
24:59And look, it was never going to be pretty all the time.
25:01And they had to grind it out, and that's what they do.
25:04Good teams keep going to 100 minutes and get late goals, and that's what wins games.
25:08And you look at the other teams in the league, they've seen how close Hearts have pushed Celtic.
25:13But ultimately, Celtic once again have come out as champions.
25:17What do the other teams, the teams like Hearts next season, Rangers next season, who want to be up there
25:22challenging?
25:23The Motherwells and Hibernians, who might hope that they have an opportunity to challenge at the top of the table
25:29as well.
25:29What do they need to do, to take from this season, to try and push Celtic once again and topple
25:36them from their perch up there?
25:38Well, I think it's tough because this was a season that looked like they were going to be able to
25:42do it, one of those clubs.
25:44I'll start with Motherwell.
25:45It's quite simple, they have to keep Jens Berta-Rasker.
25:48If they do, then they could maybe get a bit closer.
25:51Well, listen, it's not happening.
25:53It's wishful thinking.
25:54It's not happening, he's done an incredible job.
25:57Yeah, Martin and Neil.
25:58Not one for the limelight.
26:00No, I don't think he's enjoying this.
26:04If he hands a cuddle out, Chris will be absolutely fuming because he never got one off him in his
26:08career.
26:09I'm not a dancer, but Martin certainly isn't, so I can see why he's not getting involved in that.
26:14He definitely does not want to be involved in that.
26:16But he will be at the forefront of all these celebrations.
26:20Yeah, I think the interesting thing going forward, you know, will Martin do another season?
26:27I mean, I don't know.
26:29Just the job he's done, the turnaround, the comeback, not once.
26:32Do you think he shoots?
26:33But twice.
26:34Well, he's getting on a bit.
26:36I mean, he'll tell you that at times throughout the season.
26:39You know, he's looked absolutely knackered.
26:41He's looked spent.
26:42But, you know, he goes in every day.
26:45And, you know, to get the team to this point and the way the players were talking about him after.
26:49I mean, there will be many, sort of me included.
26:53If he wants to, then why wouldn't you give him the job?
26:55And the other thing about, you know, what can other teams do?
26:59Let's get it right.
27:00What has happened to Celtic this season where there hasn't been harmony?
27:05Where, you know, there's been a lot of issues at the club.
27:09Are Celtic going to have, you know, as bad as some of this summer?
27:12I think we can hear from Arnie Ingalls now.
27:15He is with me.
27:18Arne, how do you try and describe the whole afternoon?
27:23Yeah, I think it's unbelievable.
27:25What we did today is amazing.
27:27I think we as a team deserve what we did today.
27:30And the fans deserve it even more.
27:33So I'm really pleased, really happy with what we did.
27:36And now we can finally celebrate together.
27:38You've been written off all season.
27:40Everyone's questioned the Celtic team.
27:42What made you keep that belief coming into today's game?
27:46That's what we always do.
27:47Like, we stay silent and then we just go for it.
27:50Just that shows how good a team we are and how strong we are.
27:53So I'm really glad that we did it in the end.
27:55And I'm really pleased with the boys today.
27:57Have you ever experienced a season like it?
27:59Three different managers going to the final day.
28:02No, it's unbelievable.
28:03And it makes it even better.
28:05Like, the feeling that we have now is the feeling that we really deserve.
28:08And we are really happy.
28:10And we finally did it.
28:12Back next season for another go?
28:13Yeah, hopefully.
28:14Let's see.
28:15Well done.
28:22Kieran Tierney back with a megaphone.
28:24And Scott, he loves that.
28:26He loves that megaphone.
28:27He's still got it.
28:28He's back where he belongs.
28:30He loves the club as well.
28:31And look, he used to be a fan.
28:33He used to come in here.
28:34He was up where the Green Brigade and everybody else dancing about.
28:38And it means so much to not just him, but all his family as well.
28:41He always come to the games and support him throughout.
28:43And look, he's a great lad.
28:45And if Callum goes on and eventually retires or goes somewhere else,
28:49he'll be the next one that has to step up for Celtic.
28:53Yeah, and we spoke about it pre-match.
28:55The group of players, the core of players that Celtic have in the club
28:58that know exactly what it means.
29:01And we've spoken about the importance of Callum McGregor and all of this.
29:04But Kieran Tierney and James Forrest in there as well.
29:10I don't know what's happening there.
29:12But they've been able to instill that into players who've come in.
29:17Even the guys that have come in in January,
29:19the likes of Ian Atchel, who's had such a big say in the end of this season.
29:23They've been able to get that message across.
29:25The only one from January that's had a big say.
29:28Well, I think that that's what's important when you think about the impact
29:32that Martin Ailes had on the team.
29:34You can have an impact if you've got the players to help you with that impact.
29:40Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest,
29:43they're so important to help drive the message.
29:46Because football is, you know, we're getting to a stage,
29:50we're at a stage where the coach, the system, the tactics,
29:55and they are important, but the players.
29:57If that's not working, what's important?
29:59You need the players that can go and drag you through games
30:02that have been there before, that have the mentality,
30:05as Scott says, who's played with them,
30:07the way they are in training, the way they are around the club.
30:10What's acceptable, what's unacceptable,
30:12and how to manage, you know, those lows as much as the highs.
30:15So I think when you've got a core group of players like that,
30:18they will be such a healthy manager and a coaching staff
30:23because they do a lot of the work for them
30:25in terms of managing new players coming in,
30:28the expectation, someone steps out of line,
30:30someone's not putting the work in.
30:31They're the ones that are there to go and, you know,
30:34show them how to do it.
30:35And you cannot understate that.
30:37It's a massive part, and it's why we're standing here
30:40watching Celtic enjoy their title celebration.
30:43That was interesting, Kieran Tierney saying
30:45that was his favourite title,
30:46because, you know,
30:49the squad would have felt great stress this season
30:52from the way the team were performing
30:53with all the, you know, what was going on at the club.
30:57But, I mean, I think we're going to go to Ian Hatcho now,
31:00who's been just incredible, hasn't he?
31:02Yeah, we can indeed hear from him.
31:04He's also with Luke.
31:06You've not let go of that trophy.
31:08How does it feel?
31:09It feels good.
31:10If it's so good, I can't let go of this trophy.
31:12What was it like coming on,
31:14knowing Celtic needed a goal today?
31:15What was the tension like?
31:18It was a big tension,
31:19and it's a massive pressure.
31:21But we know what to do today,
31:22and we did it.
31:24They were a very strong side.
31:26But God of Soccer was on our side today.
31:28How good is this for you personally,
31:29to be holding that?
31:30It's another save-away for me.
31:32I wouldn't want to save-away for you right now.
31:34So, if I'm happy,
31:34I want to save-away with this massive club.
31:36I'll let you go with that,
31:37and I'll bring in Callum,
31:38the man who got the winning goal.
31:42You've had some season in the end.
31:44Yeah.
31:44Goal at Hampden,
31:46injury,
31:46and then this.
31:47How do you describe it?
31:49I said it last time.
31:50It's one of those moments
31:51that it doesn't happen.
31:53It's happened again,
31:54and I worked so hard
31:56in the six months I was injured.
31:58And it's really not.
32:00It was a tough time,
32:01and it feels like
32:02I can't give what I know
32:04I can give to the club.
32:05And, yeah,
32:06I'm so happy
32:07that it's ended like this.
32:09I remember doing a media day
32:10very first
32:11at the start of the season,
32:12and you were talking about
32:13trying to get in the squad
32:14and developing.
32:15But I'd said to you then
32:16you'd scored a title winning goal.
32:18What would you have said?
32:19I would have.
32:19I would have told you lying,
32:20but honestly,
32:22unbelievable, man.
32:24Every single fan in here
32:26is immense, man.
32:28Everything is amazing.
32:30I can't fault the club
32:31for a single thing.
32:32It's been a tough season,
32:34and the boys have done so well.
32:37I'm really proud of them.
32:38And I've sort of just...
32:39It's tough,
32:40because I feel like
32:40I wasn't in the team sort of thing.
32:42Like, I wasn't in the squad,
32:43and it was tough.
32:45But now I feel like
32:45towards the end
32:46we're all one,
32:47and it's how it's been.
32:48We've worked so hard,
32:49and I'm so proud of all the boys.
32:51And just finally,
32:52how much is that down
32:52to the manager
32:53who's put his faith in you?
32:54Unbelievable.
32:55Martin, Fozzie,
32:57Sean, Gav, Mick,
32:59everyone has been there for me,
33:01and it's just so, like,
33:03refreshing,
33:03because they believe in me,
33:05and they just push me on
33:07every day,
33:08and that's how I perform my best
33:10when they are, like,
33:11believing in me,
33:12and I can't thank them enough.
33:14They've changed my life.
33:15Well done, enjoy.
33:16Thank you so much.
33:18Martin O'Neill
33:19has come and joined us
33:20in the studio.
33:21Martin, huge congratulations.
33:23I'll let you shake all the hands.
33:25A special handshake
33:26for John Robertson
33:27at the end as well.
33:29Martin,
33:30just before we went
33:31to that interview,
33:32we were talking about
33:33Kieran Tierney
33:33saying that this
33:34felt the most special
33:35of his trophy
33:36wins,
33:37his title wins.
33:38Did he say that?
33:39He did, he did,
33:40and I imagine
33:41with everything going on
33:42around about it,
33:43it's been such a difficult season.
33:44How do you sum it up?
33:45How do you reflect
33:46on what you have managed
33:47to achieve?
33:49I managed this lad.
33:51He was a major problem to me.
33:54Thankfully,
33:55you didn't have him
33:55this season.
33:56I did.
33:57I had a great team then,
33:58really, really great side,
34:00and, you know,
34:02that team,
34:03his team,
34:04won the matches for me,
34:06and this is exactly
34:08what this team has done.
34:09They've won the games for me,
34:10and the coaching staff
34:12have been sensational.
34:13The players,
34:13but what I think about it,
34:15is that Celtic today,
34:16when there's unison,
34:18in the stadium,
34:19it's rocking.
34:20It really is.
34:21And they never gave up.
34:23Maybe I did,
34:24but maybe they didn't.
34:25I was going to say,
34:26they've not made it easy for you.
34:27There's been so many
34:28late winners,
34:29late moments,
34:30a late moment here today,
34:32but ultimately,
34:33you've found form
34:35right at the right time
34:36to go and win the title.
34:38It's a good point.
34:40I'm never sure about momentum.
34:43I'm never sure about it,
34:44because the lads will tell you,
34:45that can change in an instant.
34:48And people kept saying
34:48we had momentum.
34:49But we were striving hard.
34:52And if you'd asked me
34:54before we played Rangers,
34:55could I take it
34:56into the final day,
34:57I would have
34:58bitten your arm off.
35:00You know,
35:00not sure which one,
35:01but I would have
35:02bitten your arm off.
35:03And so we did it here.
35:04And if Hearts had gone
35:06and get the result,
35:07we couldn't do anything more.
35:09They put absolutely
35:10heart and soul
35:11into the game.
35:12Heart and soul into it.
35:13And the one thing I do,
35:15you know,
35:15we make plenty of mistakes
35:17with this great,
35:18great courage
35:19in the team.
35:21I'm not saying
35:22physical courage,
35:23I'm talking about
35:24mental,
35:24mental courage,
35:25which has carried us
35:26over the line.
35:27How much of that
35:29has had to come
35:29from you,
35:30from your guidance?
35:32Honestly,
35:34I'm a bit hard
35:35in proceedings.
35:36I am.
35:36The coaching,
35:37the coaching staff,
35:39you've got all the lads,
35:40they've been magnificent.
35:41Well,
35:41you have to have
35:42a response,
35:43a response to that.
35:44Now,
35:44I think to myself,
35:46I just think,
35:47they see me every day,
35:48the players,
35:49and they think,
35:50he's a terribly old man.
35:52And they think,
35:53what's he doing here
35:54among us?
35:55Well,
35:56what has happened
35:56is that they've given me,
35:58they've given me
35:59a rejuvenation,
36:01seriously rejuvenated.
36:02And it's nice,
36:04you know,
36:05way back in October,
36:06I was just having a coffee
36:08in the King's Road
36:09down in London,
36:10kind of enjoying retirement,
36:12although never enjoying
36:13a retirement.
36:14I get a call
36:14to come back,
36:15and then I get a call
36:16again in January time.
36:18And it's been,
36:20obviously,
36:21I thought the days here
36:22of me lifting a trophy
36:24at Celtic Park
36:26in front of these fans
36:27is well and truly gone.
36:29I mean,
36:30you've got to enjoy tonight.
36:32Yes.
36:33What about next season,
36:34though?
36:34Because everybody's saying,
36:36well,
36:36you know,
36:36this is going to be
36:38Martin's last season,
36:39you've got the cup final
36:40next week,
36:41but I know you've got
36:42the appetite for it,
36:44but have you got the energy
36:45to go again?
36:46That's a good point,
36:47Chris,
36:47and a serious point.
36:48I just don't know.
36:49I really don't know.
36:51It does,
36:51it does take its toll,
36:53honestly.
36:54I mean,
36:54when you boys
36:55ever get to my age,
36:56which I hope you don't,
36:59it'll be,
37:00you look so young,
37:01boys,
37:01honestly.
37:02You do.
37:02Look at you,
37:03Brownie.
37:04You look immaculate.
37:05You know,
37:06so I was...
37:06You have to be used to
37:07all day long.
37:08I was riding you off
37:09mostly.
37:10I know.
37:11A bit like when I played.
37:13You are the worst judge
37:14that has ever,
37:15ever lived.
37:16Yeah, but here's one,
37:17right?
37:17I have no idea
37:18why they put you off,
37:19honestly.
37:20Well, I think a lot of
37:21people feel the same,
37:22but you know,
37:22after Dundee United...
37:23When I watched your
37:24team's asses,
37:25you're the same.
37:25And this is my chance
37:25to say to you,
37:27you were fantastic for me.
37:28You were fantastic for me.
37:31Absolutely fantastic.
37:32So my chance to say that.
37:34You were fantastic.
37:34But you know,
37:35after Dundee...
37:35Don't ask me another question.
37:36Just ask one.
37:37After Dundee United,
37:39when you said
37:40we had to win seven,
37:41and honestly,
37:42I was thinking
37:44that's going to be
37:44really difficult,
37:45not an impossible.
37:46I mean,
37:46did you actually
37:47believe that
37:48yourself?
37:49Well,
37:52it meant,
37:52it meant having...
37:54I didn't...
37:54I thought to myself,
37:56yeah,
37:57we probably had to...
37:58It might have been able
37:59to slip in a draw
37:59somewhere.
38:00It wasn't to be.
38:01That was in the back
38:02of my mind thinking,
38:04well, maybe,
38:04maybe,
38:05you know,
38:05with hearts playing Rangers,
38:07hearts playing kids,
38:08things like this here,
38:09I just thought
38:09the games might be
38:11really difficult,
38:11and they might not
38:12win the matches,
38:13but I know
38:14we had to win them all,
38:15which I wouldn't have
38:17thought really
38:18at that stage.
38:20Matt,
38:20we can measure
38:21what you've done here
38:22because, you see,
38:23lifting the trophy,
38:24the fans around the place,
38:26but what's it done
38:27for you?
38:28What has it done for me?
38:29Honestly,
38:30it's given me
38:30a lease of life.
38:31I think I was with you
38:34here this time
38:34last year
38:35on this very spot
38:37talking to Brendan
38:39about winning it,
38:40and I've got to tell you,
38:42I was really jealous,
38:43really jealous,
38:44honestly,
38:45really jealous
38:46of people collecting
38:47the trophy,
38:48and I thought,
38:49and not for one minute
38:50did I ever think
38:51I'd be back here.
38:52So last year
38:53you carried the trophy out,
38:55this year he carried it out.
38:56What does that say?
38:57I'm retiring as well.
38:59What are you saying?
39:00He says,
39:01last year you carried
39:02the trophy out,
39:03and then I've done it
39:03this year.
39:05Did you carry it in?
39:07Did you not see me?
39:08It was amazing.
39:08It was amazing.
39:09I managed to put
39:10on the plaque itself.
39:12You've got enough trophies.
39:14Liz and Martin as well,
39:16I have to say,
39:17we've been sitting here
39:18in the stadium,
39:18and there have been
39:19so many banners
39:20with your name on it,
39:21so many lovely messages
39:23from supporters.
39:24How heartwarming
39:25has it been to come back
39:26and then to deliver
39:27for the supporters?
39:28On a serious note,
39:29it's just been fantastic,
39:31honestly.
39:31I really can't take it
39:32in at this minute.
39:33It has been really sensational.
39:36For me,
39:37genuinely,
39:37I just can't,
39:38I really can't believe it.
39:40When did you know
39:41that you had it?
39:43When did I know?
39:44When,
39:45when Callum Osman
39:47was Callum Osman.
39:47Not until that moment.
39:48No, no, absolutely.
39:49You didn't believe
39:50it until that moment.
39:50Absolutely not.
39:52Absolutely.
39:53What a finish.
39:54And what a season
39:54it's been.
39:55And just a word
39:56on Hearts,
39:57how far they've pushed you,
39:58how much they've pushed you.
39:59Honestly,
39:59it's very, very easy
40:01to be patronising
40:02and sycophanting.
40:03They've been magnificent.
40:04They are the,
40:05they are the big story
40:07of this season.
40:08They are really
40:09the big story
40:10of this season
40:10because they've come,
40:12they've come here,
40:13I don't know
40:13what,
40:13whatever happened,
40:14Celtic and Rangers,
40:15but at the end of the day,
40:16they've come,
40:17they've come with,
40:19like terrific,
40:21really,
40:21really terrific
40:22and they deserve
40:23all the credit.
40:25The manager's been fantastic,
40:27he deserves the manager
40:28of the year,
40:28he's been brilliant
40:29and hearts have been brilliant.
40:31They've been really,
40:31now it's very easy
40:32for me to say this,
40:33but I'm hoping
40:34that I would have said this
40:36had they had taken
40:37the championship.
40:38I'm sure you would,
40:38Martin,
40:39thank you very much,
40:40congratulations.
40:41Enjoy the celebration.
40:42Indeed, I will,
40:43honestly,
40:43I will,
40:44I will.
40:45If you could pass your mic
40:46to your captain.
40:47Absolutely.
40:48We'll do a little switch in,
40:49Martin,
40:49thank you so much.
40:51Callum,
40:52congratulations.
40:53The most awkward
40:54hug I've ever seen in my life.
40:55Once more.
40:56Didn't feel like
40:57it might happen
40:57for certain stages
40:58in that season
40:59from outside the dressing room.
41:00What were your thoughts
41:01inside it?
41:02Yeah,
41:02we always had to maintain belief.
41:05I actually said to the players
41:06after the game at Tynecastle,
41:08we drew two each.
41:10We were up in the game.
41:11We'd just lost
41:13two goals at Bologna.
41:14We played 60,
41:1565 minutes with 10 men
41:17and then obviously
41:17we played half an hour
41:18with 10 men
41:19and I said to the players
41:20after the dressing room,
41:21I said,
41:21I've seen enough in here
41:22that tells me
41:22we can go on
41:23and win this league
41:24and they proved me right.
41:26But it's only because
41:27of the hard work,
41:27the endeavour,
41:28the commitment
41:28to this football club,
41:30the commitment to each other.
41:31Because like you said,
41:32at times it looked lost.
41:34But in that dressing room,
41:35never ever
41:35did they start believing
41:36for one second.
41:38And you think of everything
41:40that the club have been through
41:41this season.
41:42It's been a lot for you
41:43as the captain,
41:44as the leader of that dressing room
41:45to try and manage.
41:46Is that where the emotion
41:47came from at the end?
41:49Yeah, listen,
41:50you pour your heart
41:51and soul into this job
41:52and you can't do it
41:53if you don't have emotion,
41:54this guy will tell you.
41:55Unbelievable captain
41:56for the club
41:56but you carry it
41:58every single day.
41:59You can never ever
42:00switch off.
42:01So in the good moments
42:02it's unbelievable
42:03but in the bad moments
42:04it's even worse.
42:05Every time you leave
42:06your house
42:06everybody's reminding you
42:07what's happening
42:08with the team,
42:09what's happening
42:09with the team.
42:10You desperately fix it.
42:12So when you start
42:13to overcome those hurdles
42:14and you start to see
42:15the team put one foot
42:16in front of the other
42:17obviously today
42:18with like five minutes to go
42:19you think is it going to happen
42:20like we're going to fall
42:21at the last hurdle
42:21but credit to the boys
42:23they just never know
42:24when they're beat
42:24and then obviously
42:25that's the emotion
42:25that comes out at the end
42:26it's such a hard season
42:28and we managed to get
42:29over the line.
42:29How difficult a season
42:31has it been for you personally?
42:32Would you say this has been
42:33your most difficult
42:35with all the managerial changes?
42:38Yeah, it's probably been
42:39the most the club's
42:41had to deal with really
42:42and then again
42:43this guy will tell you
42:44like the team win
42:46that's great
42:47but the team lose
42:48everybody looks at you
42:49straight away
42:49what are you doing?
42:50Why are you not fixing it?
42:50How can you not do this?
42:51How can you not do that?
42:53And you can't do it
42:53all on your own of course
42:54you know like when we
42:55when we win
42:56I've always said the same
42:57you need seven, eight, nine
42:58senior players
42:59driving it with you
43:01and it's the same
43:02when you're winning
43:02you don't take all the credit
43:04but at the same time
43:04when it goes against you
43:05everyone just thinks
43:06it's your fault
43:07and you've got to fix it
43:08and that's part of the job
43:11so Sean, Martin, Fossey
43:13Gav, all the guys
43:14that come in
43:14resteadied the ship
43:15we start putting one foot
43:16in front of the other
43:17starts to look like football again
43:18and then we actually go
43:20and do what everyone
43:21thought we couldn't do
43:22and you've had so many late goals
43:24this season
43:25so it would tend to go
43:26today
43:26I mean did you feel
43:27it was coming
43:28or I mean hearts
43:29have been tremendous
43:30all season
43:31and you know
43:32were defending strongly
43:33but did you feel
43:34it was coming?
43:35I did
43:36we were
43:37we started getting
43:37to our rhythm
43:38getting to our flow
43:40creating chances
43:40you could feel the energy
43:41starting to pick up
43:42and obviously
43:42I'm not daft
43:44when you get to five minutes
43:44to go
43:45you think
43:45is it going to happen
43:46but the team
43:47were looking okay
43:47they were creating chances
43:48with loads of bodies
43:49at the top end of the pitch
43:50it's just interchanging
43:51so I thought
43:51we might get one half chance
43:53and if we do
43:53we'll take it
43:54and then obviously
43:55we get the sort of
43:56breakaway in the last minute
43:57which effectively
43:58kills the game
43:58so credit to the boys again
44:00they found a way
44:01to win the game
44:01it was a relief
44:02by the way
44:03in that dressing room
44:04walking in
44:04knowing that
44:05you haven't been
44:06top of the league
44:06for a while
44:06but to finish that
44:08last game of the season
44:08lifting that trophy
44:09yet again
44:10unbelievable mate
44:11you know
44:11it's like you've been there
44:12yourself
44:12I heard it
44:13I was standing outside
44:13it's unbelievable
44:14and it's like
44:16it's all that emotion
44:17all the drama
44:18the team
44:19like you said
44:19Chris
44:20so many late goals
44:21so you have that belief
44:22you have that belief
44:23and then eventually
44:24once you get over the line
44:25nobody can take it away
44:26from us
44:27everybody's
44:28you know
44:30quite rightly at times
44:31had a pop at us
44:31but it's so good
44:32to just answer that
44:33and finally get over the line
44:35and like I said
44:35nobody can take it away
44:36from us now
44:36I know you keep saying belief
44:37and it's alright
44:38saying you've got belief
44:39but when did it
44:40click that
44:41you know
44:42it's within your grasp
44:44I think probably
44:45the first game of the split
44:48like I said there
44:48I spoke to the players
44:49after the Hearts game
44:50it was probably a moment
44:51where everyone else
44:52probably thought
44:52oh maybe they've
44:53maybe they've
44:54thrown it away again
44:55but
44:57we still believe
44:58we still knew
44:59that you know
44:59once we get motoring
45:00and then I think
45:01when we got here
45:01against Volker
45:02the atmosphere
45:03in the stadium
45:03just changed
45:04I think everybody
45:05starts to believe
45:06the players
45:07then get a lift
45:08from it
45:08you've seen it again
45:09last Sunday here
45:10where the place
45:10was electric
45:12and the players
45:13have rose to the occasion
45:14it's come here
45:15so many times
45:16big expectation
45:16first half was nervy
45:18but quite rightly so
45:19so the team
45:20actually then
45:21find a way
45:21to get the job done
45:23and that's kind of
45:23where we've been
45:24all season really
45:24you know when people
45:26I've heard this bandied
45:27around the last couple of days
45:28it's just another title
45:30I mean
45:31as Celtic captain
45:32how do you feel
45:34about that
45:35I think the thing is
45:36when you
45:38when you are successful
45:39it sets an expectation level
45:40so
45:41I mean we were the
45:42team turning up the day
45:43that nobody wanted to win
45:44really
45:44you know it's like
45:45Celtic have won
45:46probably five in a row
45:47now again
45:47but you know
45:48going back
45:4913, 14 years
45:50we've won 13 out of 14
45:51so everybody was looking
45:52for a change
45:53you know
45:53could Hearts do it
45:55could Hearts upset the odds
45:56so all the pressure
45:57was on us again
45:58and everybody
45:59like you said
45:59just thinks
45:59oh it's fine
46:00they'll turn up
46:01and they'll win
46:01and it doesn't really work like that
46:03and like I said
46:03Bruni's been there
46:04so many times as well
46:05there's so much expectation
46:06on the players
46:07and the team
46:07but they somehow
46:08find a way to deliver
46:09all the time
46:09and I guess that's
46:10the sign of champions
46:11how difficult has it been
46:12with all the
46:13off the field noise
46:15not people doubting you
46:16but you know
46:17the disarmament
46:18among the support
46:19and how's that
46:21it's been tough
46:21because obviously
46:22it does affect the team
46:23it affects the club
46:25so it's hard
46:26as players
46:26you know
46:26when you go on the pitch
46:27you feel that atmosphere
46:28you feel the negativity
46:30and it was like
46:31a stop-start season
46:32at best
46:32just when you think
46:33you get going
46:34something else happens
46:35just when you think
46:35you're getting moving
46:36something else happens
46:37so you know
46:38the word character
46:39and mentality
46:40we won that title
46:41on that basically
46:42you know
46:42it wasn't like
46:43free-flowing football
46:44wasn't as good
46:44as we've ever been
46:46it's heart and desire
46:47and that's what
46:47wins your football
46:48matches as well
46:48just on that
46:50obviously a day
46:52of celebration
46:52today
46:52we've seen the support
46:54back in the stands
46:54and Martin spoke about it
46:56when there's unison
46:58in the stadium
46:58it can be a special place
47:00for you guys
47:01to come and play football
47:02where do you think
47:03the club is right now
47:04and how big
47:05a summer lies ahead
47:07yeah well
47:08hopefully we can use this
47:09as a catapult
47:10to get everything
47:12back on track
47:14in terms of where
47:15the club go next
47:15obviously we have to
47:16trust the guys
47:17and the positions
47:18to do that
47:19you know
47:20in the main
47:20have been really
47:21really good
47:21they've brought so much
47:22success to this club
47:23so we have to trust
47:24them as well
47:24our job is to deliver
47:26titles and deliver
47:27football
47:28so you know
47:28that's the bit
47:29that we can control
47:30and I'm glad
47:31that we've managed
47:31to do it a bit
47:32so let's as a club
47:33try and push forward
47:34and obviously
47:35we'll have the
47:35Champions League
47:36qualifiers again
47:37this place is always
47:37rocking when it's
47:38got Champions League
47:39football
47:39so I guess that is
47:40the first step
47:41on the ladder
47:42well congratulations
47:43for this season
47:44congratulations for today
47:45and all the best
47:46next weekend as well
47:47thanks very much
47:47cheers
47:48thank you
47:48thank you very much
47:49I'll take that from you
47:50well it is
47:51another title for Celtic
47:53a fifth in a row
47:55the trophy
47:56has been lifted
47:57by that man
47:58Callum McGregor
47:59huge celebrations
48:01inside Celtic Park
48:02we will continue
48:03looking back
48:04over what has been
48:05a fascinating end
48:06to an incredible season
48:07we'll be back shortly