Rangers Outdo Old Firm Rivals
The Glasgow rivals were once again vying for the title going into the final game of the season, with Celtic needing a victory over Hearts and for Rangers to fail to win over Dundee United at Tannadice.
But a 3-0 victory for Walter Smith's side proved to be more than enough to return Scotland's biggest soccer trophy to Rangers, ending a four-year wait and Celtic's dominance of the domestic soccer scene.
The opening goal came from Kyle Lafferty just six minutes into the first half, while a first-half injury-time strike from Pedro Mendes ensured a 2-0 lead for Rangers at the break. Kris Boyd then sealed victory with a 52nd-minute shot.
Smith, who has now guided the 'Gers to eight league titles in two spells as manager, praised the performance of his side, who had trailed Celtic for much of the season.
"It was a terrific performance. We had to produce one and I thought we were terrific today," he said. "I felt at the stage in late December when we were well behind Celtic that we would lose out but we haven't and that's fantastic."
Celtic looked on course to take their fourth SPL title in succession when they led by seven points at the top of the table, but a poor second half to the season saw the Bhoys' lead slashed. The lead changed three times in as many weeks in May before Sunday's last round finally decided matters.
The victory secures Rangers a place in the group stages of the Champions League next season, while Celtic must go through qualifying rounds to reach them.
Speaking of his side's disappointing performance, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan admitted that they "weren't good enough" to retain the trophy.
"Today, it wasn't good enough. The game was dead after the (Rangers) result filtered through,' he said. "I'd like to thank the supporters. It wasn't easy for them today, but we weren't up for the challenge of winning four in a row."
The rivalry between Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic is amongst the fiercest the world. No team outside the Old Firm have ever won the SPL since its inception in 1998, while 1985 is the last time a club other than Rangers or Celtic were crowned league champions - the honor going to Aberdeen.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sport/newsid_2937000/2937072.stm
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