Scottish Premier League review:Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty was the unlikely hero as Rangers secured their 53rd Scottish title with a 1-0 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road this afternoon.
Celtic’s own win over Dundee United earlier in the day meant there would be no celebrations before kick-off with the Scottish champions under pressure to deliver the result that would seal the silverware.
And, despite what has been another unconvincing season from Lafferty, he grabbed his third goal in four games to ensure the trophy will remain at Ibrox.
The last time Rangers clinched the title at this venue was in May 2005 when Celtic’s shock collapse against Motherwell saw their bitter rivals deny the odds to triumph on the final day.
This time around, there were three games to spare for Walter Smith’s double-winners.
Goals from Diomansy Kamara and a late Robbie Keane penalty helped Celtic secure second place at Tannadice earlier in the afternoon.
With half an hour gone of an absorbing first half the Senegalese striker latched on to a Marc-Antoine Fortune pass before curling an unstoppable shot past Dusan Pernis.
Tannadice substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams, on in the 62nd minute for Danny Swanson, was dismissed in controversial circumstances by referee Iain Brines for picking up two bookings.
However, any doubt over the destination of the points ended in the dying seconds when Keane scored from the spot after Pernis had fouled Aiden McGeady as the Hoops midfielder ran through on goal.
It was Celtic’s fifth SPL win in a row since Neil Lennon took over as interim boss and they were cheered off by the travelling fans at the end.