Season review: Scotland
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
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While Celtic FC made for familiar champions, claiming their fourth title in a row, Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC tasted glory for the first time in the Scottish Cup final.
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Champions: Celtic FC
"The dream is to keep winning, winning, winning, to get into the Champions League and make Scottish people proud of Celtic," said manager Ronny Deila after guiding the Hoops to the Scottish Premiership championship in his first season in charge. The Norwegian had a shaky start after succeeding Neil Lennon, winning only four of his first eight league games, but ended up 17 points clear of nearest challengers Aberdeen FC to clinch the Glasgow club's fourth consecutive title
Scottish Cup final: Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC 2-1 Falkirk FC
Twenty-one years after their formation, Inverness Caledonian Thistle came of age by lifting their first Scottish Cup while simultaneously securing a maiden European campaign by qualifying for next term's UEFA Europa League thanks to goals from Marley Watkins and James Vincent, the latter with an 86th-minute winner. "In the history books this team will go down as legends after a first trophy and European football," said captain Graeme Shinnie, who was making his last appearance for the Highlanders before joining Aberdeen.
European places*
Celtic FC – UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC – UEFA Europa League second qualifying round
Aberdeen FC – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
Saint Johnstone FC – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
*subject to final confirmation from UEFA
Player of the year: Stefan Johansen (Celtic FC)
When his former Strømsgodset IF manager Deila asked him to operate as an attacking midfielder for Celtic, Johansen was unsure it would work as he was not a renowned goalscorer. However, hours spent on the training pitch allied to his high-energy pressing game helped the Norway captain finish the campaign with nine league goals, supplemented by three more strikes in the UEFA Europa League. "The most important thing for me under Ronny was becoming a 24-hour athlete," said the 24-year-old. "I had to think about everything I did, not sit on the computer until midnight."
One to watch: Stephen Mallan (Saint Mirren FC)
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene in December with a solo run and shot against Dundee FC, an effort that earned Mallan the goal of the season award from his peers. Despite performing in a struggling St Mirren side, the midfielder's tally of three goals and four assists marked him out as one for the future.
Leading scorer: Adam Rooney (Aberdeen FC), 18 goals (28 in all competitions)
Relegated: Saint Mirren FC
Promoted: Heart of Midlothian FC