Celtic end Rodgers after Hearts loss, O'Neill and Maloney interim

Brendan Rodgers resigned as Celtic manager on Monday, less than 48 hours after his side’s 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle to Heart of Midlothian, a result that left the reigning champions eight points behind the Premiership leaders. The club immediately named former manager Martin O’Neill and ex-player Shaun Maloney as interim custodians while a permanent appointment is sought. The departure came amid a public rebuke from major shareholder Dermot Desmond, who said statements attributed to Rodgers were “simply untrue” and “absolutely false” and added that the manager’s conduct had contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club. The club said its focus was on restoring harmony, strengthening the squad and continuing to build a club worthy of its values and supporters.

Hearts took the lead after eight minutes when a Dane Murray clearance went in off the defender, before Celtic captain Callum McGregor levelled four minutes later. Alexandros Kyziridis put Hearts back in front on 52 minutes and Lawrence Shankland converted a penalty three minutes later to seal a 3-1 victory that extended the Edinburgh side’s unbeaten run and left them eight points clear after nine league games. The match...