Celtic win SPL as Rangers fall short

[Detomah]

Celtic won the Scottish title for the third successive season, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink rising to head home the winner on a tense final day. Gordon Strachan became only the third Celtic manager to achieve such a feat after a single goal was enough to see off Dundee United.

Both sides were denied by some fine goalkeeping in a nervy game.

But, with Rangers losing to Aberdeen, Vennegoor of Hesselink's header sent Celtic three points clear at the top.

The two Glasgow rivals had gone into their final matches equal on points but with Celtic having the advantage on goal difference.

But Celtic were the form team having won their last six Scottish Premier League games to overhaul a faltering Rangers' lead - and had not lost in their last 12 visits to Tannadice.

United had an early chance to add to any Celtic nerves, only for Noel Hunt to drive the ball straight at goalkeeper Artur Boruc from the edge of the penalty box.

However, the home side's defence, missing Lee Wilkie and Mihael Kovacevic who were involved in a training-ground bust-up earlier in the week, was soon under pressure.

Manager Craig Levein had insisted that captain Wilkie was being rested to avoid a yellow card that would mean a three-game ban next season.

But he wasn't the only United defender posted missing as Celtic broke with a four on two advantage and Lukasz Zaluska did superbly to tip Aiden McGeady's effort over the bar following a fine Shunsuke Nakamura slide-rule pass.

It was goalkeeper Zaluska's fingertips to the rescue again, denying Barry Robson from 12 yards.

United were in danger of being swamped but steadied themselves to threaten on the break.

Lee Naylor tracked back just in time to block a Mark de Vries drive and Danny Swanson poked the ball over the crossbar from 10 yards when found at the back post under pressure.

Paul Hartley sent a long-range drive a few feet over as Celtic continued to press, though United had the last chance of the half, De Vries turning Gary Caldwell inside out following a fine Willo Flood pass but slicing his effort wide from 16 yards.

With Rangers also tied at 0-0 at the break and Celtic pushing for a decisive goal, Nakamura was booked for taking a dive in the penalty box as Celtic pushed forward.

United came close when De Vries again wriggled clear in the box, but his effort was deflected into the side netting, while a fine Swanson drive from 20 yards was turned over the bar by Boruc.

But any nerves began to settle as news started to filter through that Aberdeen had scored at Pittodrie.

And Celtic made sure of the title after 72 minutes when Vennegoor of Hesselink rose in a crowded penalty box to head home a fine Paul Hartley corner from eight yards.

A second goal for Aberdeen against Rangers meant Celtic could see out the remaining minutes - and secure the title - with ease.

Aberdeen 2-0 Rangers

Aberdeen ended Rangers' last-day SPL championship challenge with a win at Pittodrie, as Celtic retained the title with victory at Dundee United.

Dons keeper Jamie Langfield made smart first-half saves from both Carlos Cuellar and Jean-Claude Darcheville.

Aberdeen went ahead when Lee Miller headed home in the 63rd minute from an inch-perfect Barry Nicholson free-kick.

Darren Mackie added a second after 76 minutes before Rangers' Nacho Novo was dismissed for a lunge on Stuart Duff.

Aberdeen's industry was impressive, and with Hibernian losing to Motherwell, Jimmy Calderwood's men claimed fourth place in the table.

For Rangers, it proved to be a night of deep frustration, the second of the four prizes available to them slipping away, with the Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South to follow on Saturday.

The Light Blues headed into the customary tough test in the Granite City hoping leaders Celtic would slip up at Tannadice, with the title race reaching epic proportions.

Manager Walter Smith made three changes to the side who defeated St Mirren 3-0 at Love Street on Monday.

Daniel Cousin was selected to partner Darcheville up front, while Charlie Adam and Cuellar were also included.

And the Ibrox side were first to show real intent after eight minutes.

However, Steven Davis could only scuff his shot when presented with a chance from close range from a Darcheville pass, before Langfield made an excellent reflex stop from a Cuellar drive inside the box.

With the game in full effect, Maguire volleyed over for Aberdeen from 20 yards, after Steven Whittaker was dispossessed, much to the relief of the Rangers defender.

Langfield proceeded to palm away a Darcheville drive on the counter-attack, while Stuart Duff drove a shot inches wide for the Dons with both sides displaying a tangible sense of urgency.

Barry Ferguson - who had been impressive in midfield - should have done much better when set up by the industrious Darcheville, but the Ibrox captain blasted the ball well over from a good position, before Adam passed up a set-piece from 20 yards out.

And with the deadlock unbroken at the interval, the visitors still required an elusive goal to put pressure on Celtic, who also went in at 0-0 at Tannadice.

Aberdeen almost caught Rangers cold two minutes into the second half, but Neil Alexander stood firm to deny a powerful strike from Nicholson.

Rangers responded with Ferguson fastening on to an inviting Darcheville pass but his finish lacked power and Langfield gathered.

Smith sent on Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo for Darcheville and the lacklustre Cousin respectively, but it was the Dons who immediately ignited matters with Miller's goal.

Nicholson flighted in a free-kick and Miller rose between Rangers defenders to glance home a textbook header, beyond the reach of Alexander into the corner of the net.

The outcome was put beyond any doubt when Miller headed an inviting ball into the path of Mackie, who edged past Cuellar to force the ball past the exposed Alexander.

Frustration got the better of Novo with the striker lashing out late on Stuart Duff, the Spaniard now missing the Hampden showpiece as a result.

With the title remaining at Celtic Park on a night of drama, Rangers now have to turn all their attention to securing a cup double - while questions will be asked of precious points dropped in the title run-in.

Celtic success delights Strachan

Gordon Strachan described his success at leading Celtic to a third consecutive SPL title as "fantastic".

Celtic's 1-0 win over Dundee United and Rangers' 2-0 defeat at Aberdeen ensured the Strachan's side pipped their Old Firm rivals by three points.

"This has been one of the most fantastic occasions of my life," said Celtic manager Strachan.

"We had a challenge and accepted it and I want to celebrate it with guys who believed in me and who I believed in."

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored Celtic's winner and the Dutch striker was quick to dedicate the team's Scottish Premier League triumph to former coach Tommy Burns.

Club legend Burns, who had been first-team coach, died seven days ago.

"It's incredible," said the Dutchman. "It's about Tommy Burns, it's a tribute to him.

"We did it and it's a great feeling."

Three years ago Celtic striker Scott McDonald famously denied the Bhoys the SPL title in 2005 when his two late goals for Motherwell against his current club handed the trophy to Rangers.

Understandably the Australian, who finished the season as the SPL's top scorer, was delighted to play his part in Celtic's third successive championship.

"It's something I'll never forget," said McDonald.

"After three years ago, it's great to put that right and I'm certainly going to enjoy this."

Two Old Firm victories in April proved the turning point in the campaign and chief executive Peter Lawwell was full of praise for Strachan for becoming the first Celtic manager since Jock Stein to win a league title hat-trick.

"He goes down in Celtic's history as a legend," Lawwell said.

"We've been written off and come back. It's a wonderful night for this club.

"It's been a week for this club that we should all be proud of.

"It's been a very emotional week - terrible grief, terrible sorrow - but tonight we can be proud to be a Celtic supporter."

European tilt cost us, says Smith

Rangers manager Walter Smith admitted that he was frustrated with the end to the Ibrox side's SPL campaign, following the 2-0 defeat at Aberdeen.

"I am disappointed with the way the season has finished in difficult circumstances," he told BBC Sport.

"Coming back from big European games has been a big problem for us recently.

"There's no doubt Aberdeen motivate themselves to a greater degree playing us than in other games, but it's always difficult to come and play here."

Lee Miller and Darren Mackie netted for Jimmy Calderwood's side, with Aberdeen clinching fourth place in the table.

With Rangers facing Queen of the South on Saturday in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden, Smith must do without the services of forward Nacho Novo, after the Spaniard was ordered off for a late tackle on Stuart Duff.

"We could have done without that," admitted the Ibrox boss.

"We need all the strikers available to us, but he got too excited due to circumstances, but these things happen."

Christian Dailly, meanwhile, conceded that the fixture congestion Rangers faced played a key role in the title run-in.

"It's devastating for us really - we've worked so hard," he said.

"There have been many highs for us this season, but now there have been a couple of real lows, which was always a danger the way the fixtures were structured.

"It has been a massive schedule. We've never shirked from it but you have to try and win the games.

"That's the way it goes sometimes so you have to accept it, although it doesn't make you feel any better," added the Scotland defender.

"We don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves - it's the cup final and we'll have to be really focused for Saturday."

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