Aberdeen claim Euro place with win over Rangers

Aberdeen secured a UEFA Cup place with a 2-0 home win over Rangers on the last day of the Scottish Premier League season yesterday.

Scott Severin blasted in a magnificent opener in the 20th minute with a half-volley from almost 30 metres following a headed clearance by Rangers defender Davie Weir.

Just 12 minutes later Steve Lovell swept a shot around keeper Allan McGregor for 2-0 to secure third place in the Scottish Premier League (SPL).

Aberdeen finished with 65 points from 38 games, four ahead of fourth-placed Hearts who lost 1-0 at Kilmarnock with Steve Naismith netting an 80th-minute penalty after keeper Craig Gordon brought him down.

Champions Celtic lost 2-1 at Hibernian to finish with 84 points at the top of the table - 12 clear of second-placed Rangers.

Former Hibs striker Derek Riordan fired Celtic ahead in the 55th minute, but Scott Brown, who last week agreed a 4.4-million-pound transfer to Celtic, equalised.

Ivan Sproule grabbed the winner with a minute left.