Celtic supporters came close to a physical altercation as tempers flared during the loss to Hearts at Parkhead.

Chants of 'sack the board' and 'Lawwell get to f***' could be heard inside the stadium with things getting heated in the vicinity of the director's box.

As Hearts closed in on a 2-0 win - courtesy of goals from Lawrence Shankland and Stephen Kingsley - furious fans came close to blows but no punches were thrown.

It's understood fans around the director's box voiced their frustrations towards the Celtic board.

Then, supporters clashed between themselves with security quick to round the director's box and stewards attempting to resolve anger in the stands.

While no physical altercation took place, a couple of supporters postured for a fight before some were removed from their seats as a toxic atmosphere brewed.

Describing the atmosphere, Michael Stewart told BBC Open All Mics: "Things are getting heated here by the way, there are folk almost having fisticuff fights in front of me.

"The punters are not happy - we're next to some of the guests and some of the punters and there's a few words being said back and forward.

READ MORE: Celtic fans chant 'sack the board' as Lawwell targeted in Hearts loss

"I think one of the punters has been asked to move and the rest of the crowd are not too happy.

"It's fundamentally the frustrations is coming down from the punters who feel the board haven't done their job and there seems to be a bit of a divide between the punters and folk who are in what you'd class as the posh seats.

"That's what's bubbling over here."

He then added: "Further down towards the tunnel there were a few folk, somebody turned round and was having words with the board. In that area, there was a lot more later on.

"Some stewards trying to calm things down and that seemed to agitate a little bit more because the punters are feeling like they should be allowed to voice their opinions.

"Right in front of us it got pretty heated, there were a few folk came close to getting involved in an altercation with people then trying to pull them back and calm it down. It felt on the back of that there was a real divide between the punters and the upper class, and the board and the guests."