Hearts chairman breaks silence on Celtic Park final day scenes as he vows Tynecastle club will 'never forget'

Hearts chairman Paterson says the club will never forget last season's final-day loss to Celtic at Parkhead, but admits they could have communicated better with supporters afterward.

Hearts chairman Calum Paterson has broken his silence on the controversial end to last season, when Celtic clinched their fifth successive title with a 3-1 win at Parkhead on the final day. The victory sparked a pitch invasion that led referee Don Robertson to end the match early, with Hearts players forced to retreat to their team bus still in their kit.

A police investigation into alleged assaults on visiting players remains ongoing, with one person charged and another given a football banning order. Paterson expressed frustration at the decision to schedule Hearts' final match away from home, departing from tradition of giving the league leaders a home fixture at the split. He called for greater "transparency and consistency" from Scottish football authorities around key decisions.

Acknowledging criticism over the club's limited public communication in the aftermath, Paterson explained that a live police investigation constrained what could be said publicly. However, he admitted Hearts "could have communicated more clearly" even within those constraints. He stressed the club's focus is now on the new season under incoming management and rebuilding, while vowing they have not forgotten what occurred.