Hearts chairman Calum Paterson has questioned the decision to send his side to Celtic Park on the final day of last season, revisiting the fixture that ended with the championship staying in Glasgow.

Hearts needed only a draw to secure the title. Celtic needed to win.

Lawrence Shankland put the visitors ahead before Arne Engels equalised from the penalty spot. Daizen Maeda then struck late on, with Callum Osmand completing Celtic’s 3-1 victory in stoppage time.

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Months later, the scheduling of that afternoon remains a source of frustration at Tynecastle.

Speaking to Hearts’ official website, Paterson said:

“The final week was difficult on a number of fronts. Among other things we were disappointed by the unprecedented decision that as the team leading the league at the time of the split had to play our final game away from home.”

However, the SPFL had explained the circumstances behind that decision when the fixtures were published in April.

In its post-split fixtures explanation, the league outlined several competing requirements.

Celtic were due three home matches after the split, while Hearts and Rangers were due two. Clubs were also scheduled to finish with one home and one away fixture across their final two games.

Keeping the penultimate round simultaneous ensured equal recovery time before the finale, while city clashes and advice against staging a final-day derby further restricted the options.

The SPFL acknowledged that it had accommodated the pre-split leaders at home in recent seasons, but said that was not possible on this occasion.

Paterson can disagree with the outcome, but the reasoning was publicly available before the title was decided.

There is also a familiar historical echo for Celtic supporters.

In 1986, Hearts travelled to Dundee needing a draw, while Celtic went to Love Street and beat St Mirren 5-0. Albert Kidd’s late double at Dens Park delivered the championship to the Hoops.

That was a different league format, long before the split existed. It does, however, show that a title challenger finishing away from home is hardly unfamiliar.

This May, Hearts still arrived at Parkhead with their destiny in their own hands. Celtic took it from them on the pitch.