Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Thu 21 May 2026 18:55, UK

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Chris Sutton hopes that the release of the audio from Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Hearts will end questions over the match being abandoned.

Upon the Hoops’ third goal at Celtic Park, fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate the late goal.

However, questions were then asked whether Don Robertson blew his whistle to end the game, or if it was abandoned, with it being clear there was still time left to play when the final goal was scored.

The SFA have now seemingly cleared this issue up, with Robertson stating in the audio that Hearts manager Derek McInnes was happy to end the match.

Now, Sutton has heaped praise on the referee, with Celtic hoping the controversy ends over their title victory.

Chris Sutton: Let’s hope that’s the end of it now

Whilst the SPFL have released a statement saying that the match was not abandoned, Hearts were still clearly not amused about the situation.

The Edinburgh club needed just one point to win the title at Celtic Park, and released a statement about the ending of Saturday’s game on Wednesday.

Scottish FA Statement | Celtic v Heart of Midlothian

— Scottish FA (@ScottishFA) May 21, 2026

Now, while Robertson did not blow the final whistle, the statement from the SFA say that the referee “clearly communicated that the match was ended and not abandoned”.

As a result, Sutton quickly took to X, stating his hope that the matter is now resolved after it had plagued Celtic’s title victory celebrations.

Let’s hope that’s the end of it now… but I suspect this could rumble on for a decade at a low estimate 😂.
Don Robertson deserves a great deal of credit for the way he handled everything 👏👏

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) May 21, 2026

He said: “Let’s hope that’s the end of it now… but I suspect this could rumble on for a decade at a low estimate.

“Don Robertson deserves a great deal of credit for the way he handled everything.”

What punishment could Celtic face for pitch invasion?

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that Celtic could face a suspended points deduction and a fine after the pitch invasion against Hearts on the final day.

While it is now clear that the game was not abandoned, a punishment could still potentially be issued for the Hoops.

Wyness believes that the authorities will sweep the situation under the carpet.

This was not the first time Celtic fans had invaded the pitch, with this also occurring in their penalty victory over Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup in March.

However, it remains to be seen if the Hoops will receive any type of punishment for the pitch invasion on the final day, or all parties will now move on from the incident now that the audio has been released.