Goals from Asian stars Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu helped Glasgow Celtic seal their 53rd Scottish Premiership title last Sunday with a 2-0 win away at 10-men Hearts.
Coming into Sunday’s title decider, Celtic knew that a win would successfully defend the league title that they’ve won last season, with title challengers and arch-rivals Glasgow Rangers hosting Europe-chasing Aberdeen at the Ibrox on the same day.
However, Hearts, who were also seeking a ticket to European competitions, were no push-overs and they managed to frustrate Celtic throughout the first half. But the hosts’ momentum was cruelly cut short just before half-time after Alex Cochrane was sent-off for a foul on Daizen Maeda, with the Hearts player being initially given a yellow card before subsequently being upgraded to a red card following a VAR review.
Cochrane’s dismissal allowed Celtic to gain control of the proceedings and the Bhoys took the lead in the 67th minute. Japan’s very own Furuhashi managed to latch onto a pass from fellow countryman Reo Hatate, before forcing the ball into Zander Clark’s goal.
The goal spurred confidence into Ange Postecoglou’s side and Furuhashi’s replacement, South Korean striker Oh, sealed the win and Celtic’s 53rd league title with a powerful finish following a superb assist from Australia international Aaron Mooy, who also came in as a substitute. Celtic’s 2-0 win effectively rendered Rangers’ hard-fought 1-0 win over Aberdeen moot, with the Scottish Premiership trophy remaining in Celtic Park for another season
This season’s league title – Ange’s fourth domestic trophy out of a possible five throughout his tenure so far – was Celtic’s second domestic silverware this season. The Bhoys had edged out Rangers 2-1 in the 2022/23 Scottish League Cup final back in February and will face second-tier side Inverness Caledonian Thistle in June 3rd’s 2022/23 Scottish Cup final.