Celtic Win Scottish Premier League
Celtic Pip Rivals Rangers for Third Consecutive SPL Title
Scottish Premier League stays at Parkhead
Celtic have won the Scottish Premier League for the third year in a row under manager Gordon Strachan. The final round of games witnessed a tense finale between the bitter 'Old Firm' rivals Celtic and Rangers to see who would be finally crowned Champions after an exciting season. As the destiny of the championship was to be decided on the final day of the season, a helicopter carrying the trophy was waiting on a call from SPL chief Lex Gold as to the destination of the victory party.
Old Firm Rivals
Celtic went into the last game of the season against Dundee United at Tannadice Park knowing that if they at least matched Rangers result, they would win the Championship. With Celtic-supporting celebrity faces such as Rod Stewart in attendance, it promised to be an exciting night. Celtic and Dundee United played an entertaining first 45 minutes, with Aidan McGeady and Mark De Vries spurning good chances for their respective teams.
The game opened up in the second half and when Shunsuke Nakamara had a legitimate penalty claim waved away by referee, earning a yellow card for apparently trying to 'dive', one could be forgiven for thinking that it wasn't going to be Celtic's night. The news that Aberdeen had scored against Rangers started to filter through to the Tannadice crowd and a mighty cheer went up from the Celtic support.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
The giant Dutch striker has come in from supporter's criticism during the course of the season, but once again he delivered the goods. The man with arguably the longest name in football headed in the winning goal from a Paul Hartley corner in the 72nd minute in a crowded penalty box to ensure that Celtic would be SPL champions for the sixth time in ten seasons.
Rangers Slip Up
The result in Dundee was coupled with a somewhat surprising scoreline further up the east Scottish coast, as Aberdeen produced a fine display to defeat Rangers 2-0 at their home ground, Pittodrie. Second half goals by forwards Lee Miller and Darren Mackie ensured that Rangers finished three points and seven goals behind their Old Firm rivals at the climax of an eventful season. The helicopter carrying the trophy was diverted towards Tannadice Park where the Celtic celebrations were beginning in earnest.
Gordon Strachan
Strachan becomes only the third manager in Celtic's distinguished history to lead the club to three consecutive league titles, following in the footsteps of Willie Maley and Jock Stein, in the pantheon of Parkhead managerial greats. An added bonus is the direct entry for Celtic to the UEFA Champions League Group Stage for the 2008-2009 season.
The Celtic team that clinched the SPL title by virtue of defeating Dundee United was:
Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, (Wilson 76) Nakamura, (Scott Brown 62) Hartley, Robson,
McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 81)
Substitutes not used: Mark Brown, Donati, O'Dea, Sheridan.
