Rangers snatch title after Celtic collapse

Rangers were crowned Scottish champions after they beat Hibernian 1-0 and Celtic conceded two goals in the last two minutes to lose 2-1 at Motherwell in an amazing finale to the season yesterday.

Rangers, who started the day two points adrift of their arch-rivals and defending champions, finished on 93 points to Celtic's 92 following a dramatic turnaround at Motherwell.

Celtic were heading for the 40th league title in their history until Scott McDonald cancelled out Chris Sutton's first-half strike with an 88th-minute equaliser.

McDonald then followed up with a 90th-minute winner that sealed Celtic's fate after Rangers had completed their victory thanks to Spaniard Nacho Novo's strike at Easter Road.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish described his club's 51st title win as his best achievement in football.

The former Scotland defender told BBC Radio Scotland: "This caps everything. I must say it feels absolutely magnificent. I don't think I have words to describe it.

"Where there's life there's hope and it was a marvellous performance by us."

Looking back to the moment when news came through of Motherwell's equaliser, McLeish said: "When we heard the Rangers fans erupt, we knew it was within our grasp.

"I got the most dramatic shiver through my entire body when I heard the Rangers fans."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill refused to discuss his future after newspaper reports that he would quit next week and be replaced by Gordon Strachan.

Papers reported he would step down to be with his wife Geraldine who is said to be seriously ill.

But O'Neill told BBC Radio Scotland: "I cannot talk about my future and refuse to do so, but I have gone to these fans for five years after games and today was no different.

"We have got beaten and it's disappointing. But it was fated to be. We should have won by six or seven."

An extra twist to yesterday's events is that goalscorer McDonald is a Celtic supporter, according to Motherwell boss Terry Butcher.

"He is a big Celtic fan. His mum will be pleased because she's a Rangers fan, but his dad won't be happy," Butcher said.

"We got the result for us, not anybody else."

Celtic must now try to regroup for Saturday's Scottish FA Cup final against Dundee United at Hampden Park.

Hibernian's defeat did not prevent them taking a UEFA Cup slot on goal difference from Aberdeen, who beat Hearts 2-0 with goals from Richie Byrne and Derek Adams.

Hibs manager Tony Mowbray, celebrating a fine end to his first season in charge of the Edinburgh club, said: "We are delighted to be in Europe, delighted for the supporters and delighted for the players.

"We are going away to enjoy the beach this summer and reflect on what we have achieved."

Results

Aberdeen vs Hearts 2-0
Hibernian vs Rangers 0-1
Motherwell vs Celtic 2-1
Inverness vs Dundee Utd 0-1
Kilmarnock vs Dunfermline 4-0
Livingston vs Dundee 1-1