NafisaCeltic’s stunning 7-1 victory over Hearts at Parkhead has sparked celebrations among the home support, but the fallout from Sunday’s clash has extended well beyond the football itself.
The Edinburgh side endured a miserable afternoon as Martin O’Neill’s men ran riot in front of their own supporters, strengthening Celtic’s position at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Yet amid the goals and celebrations, criticism of the visiting support emerged as another major talking point.
The controversy took an unexpected turn when a prominent BBC Scotland presenter, who openly supports Hearts, publicly criticised songs he heard from a section of his own club’s travelling support. His comments were particularly striking because they came from someone who has followed the Edinburgh club for years.
Martin Geissler did not hold back when he described the experience of hearing the songs at Celtic Park as “excruciating and humiliating”, making clear that he believed the behaviour needed to be addressed.
Geissler, a BBC Scotland news presenter and podcaster, attended the match and took to social media to express his disappointment. He wrote: “Some grim songs coming out of the Hearts support today. I was there, it was excruciating and humiliating.
“A small, small section of our support as a whole but vocal and well represented today.
“Proud to support the club I’ve always loved but get that stuff out. It’s awful.”
His remarks acknowledged that he was criticising a small section rather than the entire Hearts support. Nevertheless, his description of the songs as humiliating demonstrated how strongly he felt about what he had witnessed.
Celtic Shorts characterised the chanting as sectarian. However, the specific lyrics were not reproduced in the supplied report, so the precise content of the songs cannot be independently established from that account alone.
The controversy unfolded against an already emotionally charged backdrop. Celtic had held a pre-match tribute to former winger Johnny Doyle, who died in an accident at his home on October 19, 1981. The occasion added significance to the build-up, with the fixture taking place on the anniversary of his death.
There was also the lingering history between the clubs. Hearts supporters have long remembered the painful conclusion to the 1985-86 title race, when they appeared poised to win the Scottish league before Albert Kidd’s late goals for Dundee helped Celtic secure the championship instead.
Last season’s dramatic title conclusion at Celtic Park added another layer to the rivalry, with controversy surrounding a pitch invasion after the decisive match. Sunday’s meeting was the first time the sides had faced each other since that occasion, making the atmosphere particularly charged.
On the pitch, however, Celtic ensured the afternoon belonged to them.
Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren scored inside the opening ten minutes to put the hosts firmly in control. Hearts struggled to recover, and Callum Osmand’s double extended Celtic’s advantage to four goals.
Laurent Mendy briefly gave the visitors hope, but that was quickly extinguished when Mika Baur’s effort was deflected into the net by Jamie McCart. Celtic went into the interval with a remarkable 5-1 lead.
The second half brought more punishment for the Edinburgh side. Camilo Durán added another goal before Nygren completed his brace, sealing a comprehensive 7-1 victory.
The result left Celtic four points clear at the top of the Premiership after Rangers had drawn 2-2 with Dundee, handing O’Neill’s side a significant boost in the title race.
For Celtic supporters, the scoreline provided the perfect response to a demanding week. For Hearts, the result was a sporting disaster compounded by criticism of some of their travelling fans.
Geissler’s intervention also highlighted an important distinction: supporting a club does not mean accepting every action carried out in its name. His message was that the behaviour he witnessed did not represent the standards he wanted associated with Hearts.
The heavy defeat will dominate the football discussion, but the criticism from one of the club’s own high-profile supporters has ensured that the events at Celtic Park will be remembered for more than the seven goals.
Nafisa
