celtic clinch three-in-a-row

David Friel
CELTIC made history tonight by clinching a third successive SPL title after a dramatic final day of the season.

Gordon Strachan’s champions beat Dundee United 1-0 at Tannadice with a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink goal to finish top on 89 points. Second-placed Rangers finished on 86 points after losing 2-0 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

There were incredible scenes inside Tannadice at the end of the match, as Celtic players, management and supporters began the celebrations.

During the 90 minutes, the Hoops fans had constantly paid tribute to Tommy Burns on an emotional occasion for Celtic Football Club.

After winning the title in his first two seasons, Gordon Strachan becomes the first Celtic manager since the late Jock Stein to lead the club to three consecutive championships.

In early April, Celtic trailed Rangers by seven points but stormed back into contention with seven successive wins to clinch one of the sweetest title triumphs in the club’s history.

Over half of Tannadice was awash with green and white as thousands of Celtic fans converged on the City of Discovery with hope in their hearts. They weren’t to be disappointed.

The early exchanges were understandably tense and it was United who created the first chance in six minutes when Noel Hunt ran on to Mark De Vries’ flick and forced Artur Boruc into a save.

Celtic started to settle and Aiden McGeady almost grabbed the opener. Scott McDonald fed Shunsuke Nakamura who crossed for the Irish winger. His first-time shot was parried over by Lukas Zaluska.

Moments later, United’s Polish goalkeeper pulled off another incredible save – diving to his right to tip over Barry Robson’s looping header. Paul Hartley then had a low drive blocked on the line.

Danny Swanson fired over the bar for United on a breakaway, but it was Celtic who had the bulk of the pressure, with McGeady and Nakamura seeing a lot of the ball. United, however, were standing firm.

Hartley fired a drive over the bar as Celtic kept piling on the pressure. Yet, United were always a threat and De Vries fired wide from eight yards as the first half ended with no scoring.

Only 30 seconds of the second period had elapsed when Vennegoor of Hesselink was sent through by McGeady. The Dutchman kept his shot low but Zaluska blocked with his legs.

Celtic looked bright and McDonald threatened, before Nakamura had a shot blocked. The Japanese midfielder was then booked for a dive in the box.

The Hoops were committing bodies forward and were almost caught out when De Vries broke free on the right and fired a shot wide in 59 minutes. Boruc then pulled off a superb save to deny Swanson.

Vennegoor of Hesselink almost fired Celtic ahead after beating Zaluska to a bouncing ball. Celtic then introduced Scott Brown for Nakamura in 62 minutes.

News of Aberdeen’s first goal sent shockwaves round Tannadice, yet Celtic still had some work to do of their own and Vennegoor of Hesselink delivered in 71 minutes.

McDonald won a corner and Hartley’s corner was powered home by the Dutch striker from six yards as the stadium erupted.

As news of a second Aberdeen goal spread, the title celebrations started in earnest for the champions.

The sight of the helicopter carrying the SPL trophy flying overhead put the seal on a magical night as captain Stephen McManus held aloft the gleaming silverware and the entire first-team squad paid homage to Tommy Burns with special t-shirts.

Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tannadice, Dundee

CELTIC…1
(Vennegoor of Hesselink 71)
DUNDEE UNITED…0

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor (Wilson 76); Nakamura (Brown 62), Hartley, Robson, McGeady; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 81)
Subs not used: M.Brown, Wilson, Samaras, O’Dea, Donati, Sheridan

DUNDEE UNITED (4-4-2) Zaluska; Dillon, Kenneth, Dods, Grainger; Flood, Kerr (Robertson 80), Gomis, Swanson (Daly 80); Hunt, De Vries (Robb 80)
Subs not used: Camara, Wilkie, O’Brien, Smith

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Hartley