Celtic win makes it three in a row

Gordon Strachan became the third Celtic FC manager to claim three successive Scottish titles after his team won and challengers Rangers FC lost on the last day of the season.

Contrasting fortunes
Celtic made it seven straight Premier League victories by winning 1-0 away to Dundee United FC while Rangers FC went down 2-0 at Aberdeen FC. Walter Smith's UEFA Cup finalists were made to pay for taking only 12 points from their concluding nine games.

Deciding moments
Both sides had 86 points at the start of play but the fact Rangers' goal difference was inferior by four meant the initiative was firmly with Celtic. In the event, the championship was decided in the last half-hour of the campaign as Lee Miller scored for Aberdeen after 63 minutes at Pittodrie, before Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's towering header for Celtic in the 72nd minute at Tannadice. Darren Mackie's 77th-minute strike for the Dons, who finished in fourth place, confirmed the defeat of a Rangers team who had Nacho Novo sent off late on.

Burns tribute
Strachan's men will dedicate their success to Parkhead coach and former player Tommy Burns who died on 15 May and was buried on Tuesday. Rangers can lift the consolation prize of the Scottish Cup by beating Queen of the South FC in Saturday's final. They also landed the Scottish League Cup in March. Strachan's hat-trick equalled similar trebles from predecessors Jock Stein and Willie Maley.