Celtic secured the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership title through a series of dramatic and fiercely contested matches, overcoming significant challenges in the closing months of the season. Key victories against title rivals and intense comebacks underlined their championship run.
On February 15, Celtic staged a remarkable comeback at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock. Trailing 2-0 at halftime and facing mounting pressure, the team turned the game around thanks to a stunning strike from Sebastian Tounekti and an equalizer by Benjamin Nygren. In stoppage time, loan signing Julian Araujo scored the winning goal, securing a 3-2 victory and preserving their quest for the title.
A highly charged Old Firm clash on March 1 at Ibrox saw Celtic respond resiliently after falling 2-0 behind with goals including an overhead kick by Rangers’ Youssef Chermiti. Celtic trimmed the deficit through Kieran Tierney and earned a penalty late in the game following a handball by Rangers’ Dujon Sterling. Despite goalkeeper Jack Butland’s initial saves, Reo Hatate converted on his third attempt, ensuring a 2-2 draw that kept Celtic’s hopes alive.
The significance of the May 10 meeting between the Old Firm rivals at Parkhead was intensified by the title implications. Rangers took an early lead through Mikey Moore, but Celtic equalized before halftime thanks to Yang Hyun-jun. In the second half, Daizen Maeda scored twice, including a remarkable overhead kick, leading the home side to a 3-1 victory that shifted momentum firmly in their favor.
On May 13, Celtic faced Motherwell in a tense and unpredictable match. Falling behind early, Celtic found themselves in a precarious position as Hearts appeared poised to clinch the league. Nygren’s strike put Celtic ahead momentarily, but Motherwell’s late goal complicated the standings. A pivotal moment came in injury time when VAR adjudicated a handball by Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson, awarding Celtic a penalty. Kelechi Iheanacho calmly converted the spot-kick to secure a vital 3-2 win.
The title was ultimately decided on the final day, May 16, when Celtic hosted Hearts in a winner-takes-all scenario. Hearts took an early lead through Lawrence Shankland, threatening to claim the championship. However, Arne Engels’ penalty before halftime leveled the score, and Celtic’s tactical shift to a three-at-the-back formation in the second half paid dividends. With just minutes remaining, Maeda’s goal, assisted by Callum Osmand, put Celtic ahead for the first time in the match. Osmand sealed the victory by scoring in the dying seconds, completing a 3-1 triumph that secured Celtic’s league crown with dramatic flair.
These five decisive matches encapsulated the resilience and determination that defined Celtic’s campaign, ultimately delivering a hard-fought Scottish Premiership title.