Glasgow (AFP) - Scottish football’s most dramatic season for decades had a fittingly chaotic finale as Hearts fell agonisingly short of ending the Old Firm’s 40-year dominance and Celtic emerged as champions once more.

The Jambos led for almost the entire campaign and were minutes away from their first title in 66 years until two late goals snatched a 3-1 win for Celtic on Saturday.

There were ugly scenes at the end of the game at Celtic Park as fans spilled onto the pitch, confronting Hearts players.

The visitors boarded their team bus still in their kit moments later to make the sobering trek back to Edinburgh.

For months it appeared the stars had aligned for fan-owned Hearts in a season when both Celtic and Rangers had imploded.

Buoyed by the arrival of Brighton owner Tony Bloom as an investor and the use of his data analytics firm, which has pioneered efficient recruitment, Derek McInnes’ men stormed out of the blocks.

They led for the vast majority of the campaign right up until the 87th minute on Saturday when Daizen Maeda put Celtic in front.

For older Hearts fans it will bring back painful memories of losing the title on the final day in 1965 and 1986.

Forty years ago Celtic surged past the Edinburgh club on the final day to win the title on goal difference after Hearts conceded twice in the final minutes to lose at Dundee.

- ‘Surreal’ -

History repeated itself this season as the Glasgow giants pulled themselves off the canvas to win their last seven league games.

Celtic’s eight league defeats are the most they have suffered since ¹⁹⁹⁹⁄₂₀₀₀, the season before Martin O’Neill first arrived as manager.

Twice the under-fire Celtic board turned to O’Neill to take over this season, with the club in turmoil, and his experience dragged them over the line.

“It’s really surreal,” said the 74-year-old. “I think it was last year I came along (to Celtic Park) as a pundit or something, so a year later to be here as the manager of the football club, it’s just incredible really. I genuinely can’t believe it. It’s like a dream.”

O’Neill first stepped in this season after Brendan Rodgers resigned following persistent clashes with the board over a lack of investment in the squad.

After steadying the ship, he passed the batton to Wilfried Nancy, who lasted just 33 days after losing six of his eight games in charge.

O’Neill’s return in January after fan protests for boardroom change helped bring the club back together.

“We made plenty of mistakes but there is plenty of courage in the team. I’m not talking about physical courage but mental courage which has carried us over the line,” said the Northern Irishman.

“Celtic today, when there is unison in the stadium, it’s rocking. They never give up.”

But they also had luck on their side.

The decision of the referee to award Celtic a late penalty in the 3-2 win over Motherwell on Wednesday, setting up the final day shootout, was fiercely criticised.

McInnes branded that call “disgusting” and did not hang around to do his post-match media duties after Saturday’s game.

Hearts must hope they are just at the beginning of Bloom’s 10-year plan to break the stranglehold of Scottish football held by the Old Firm.

However, they face a long summer ahead to reflect on what might have been.