Martin O'Neill has revisited the pitch invasion scenes that followed Celtic's Scottish league title win over Hearts last season and responded to the SFA's stadium closure punishment

Martin O'Neill has mounted a staunch defence regarding pitch invasions by Celtic supporters - once again backing the controversial scenes that unfolded after last season's title victory against Hearts.

The experienced manager previously defended his club's fans after thousands stormed onto the pitch following Callum Osmand's dramatic 98th-minute winner in the thrilling final-day championship decider.

Disheartened Hearts players faced taunting from supporters, while frustrated Tynecastle officials subsequently issued a statement claiming the chaotic events "embarrassed Scottish football."

The episode came after the violent scenes which marred Celtic's Scottish Cup triumph over Rangers following a tense penalty shootout. Supporters from both sections invaded the playing surface, forcing police and stewards to step in to prevent the disorder from worsening.

The SFA has handed both clubs a stadium closure sanction that will be enforced when Celtic and Rangers next host a Scottish Cup match at their respective grounds, reports the Daily Record.

The Hoops released a statement after their appeal against the punishment was rejected, criticising Hampden officials for creating a "false equivalence" with Rangers.

Away supporters have already been banned from derby fixtures this season - and when questioned about the SFA's decision on the appeal, O'Neill told Sky Sports: "My thoughts would be, the football club put out a statement and I would be in agreement with that statement.

"For me, if you are talking about Celtic and Rangers games they are massive - and I'm not just talking about in Europe, throughout the world - and it's something lost when the away fans don't travel to the games. I have stated that umpteen times, and I am sticking with that.

"But, I am not in charge of those things. If that is the rules now and that's the way it is going to be, then that is the way it's going to be.

"There is going to be no away fans in the stadiums for the next X amount of years, then that is something that is certainly out of my control and if the authorities think that is the best thing to do then that's fine."

The 74 year old manager later returned to the controversy surrounding last season's final league match - where the 3-1 victory against the Jambos at Celtic Park clinched a dramatic championship success.

He drew parallels with the pitch invasion which took place after English League Two outfit Fleetwood Town shocked Premier League champions Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.

When questioned whether the sanction for the upcoming Scottish Cup home fixture served as a "deterrent" to supporters contemplating entering the pitch, O'Neill said: "Yes, well that is true, but if you are talking about the back end of last season when our crowd invaded the pitch at the end of it all, I did say that I think that is not the last time that will ever be done and unbelievably it was done at Fleetwood, and everybody thought this was just one of the greatest moments in Fleetwood's lives - which it was, as well.

"And remarkably, I am not a soothsayer, but I knew there would be another pitch invasion before I departed this earth."