Celtic clinch hat-trick of Scottish titles

GLASGOW, Scotland -- Celtic won the Scottish Premier League title ahead of Glasgow rivals Rangers on a dramatic final night of the campaign.

Gordon Strachan's side clinched a hat-trick of championships and 42nd overall thanks to a 1-0 victory against Dundee United at Tannadice while long-time favorites Rangers were beaten 2-0 at Aberdeen.

The Old Firm pair had been level on points at the start of the evening, with Celtic holding the goal difference advantage.

Aberdeen took the lead through Lee Miller against Rangers after 63 minutes to give the first indication of where the trophy was destined.

Striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink then headed Celtic ahead after 72 minutes at Tannadice to leave little doubt -- and Aberdeen's second goal at Pittodrie from Darren Mackie after 77 minutes ended Rangers' hopes.

Rangers substitute Nacho Novo was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Aberdeen's Stuart Duff as Walter Smith's team saw their hopes of a domestic treble shattered.

Vennegoor's 20th goal of the season came when the big Dutchman headed a Paul Hartley corner past United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

Strachan is only the third Celtic manager to win three league titles in a row, joining Willie Maley and Jock Stein.

Celtic endured an emotional week, with the death of popular coach Tommy Burns from skin cancer on May 15 at the age of 51 and his funeral on Tuesday.

The club said it would dedicate the league win to Burns, who was also part of the Scotland coaching setup.

"We loved him," Celtic striker Scott McDonald told BBC Radio Scotland. "He was just a gentleman at heart. God rest his soul.

"We did this for you Tommy - God bless."

McDonald famously denied Celtic the SPL title in 2005 when his two late goals for Motherwell against the Hoops handed the trophy to Rangers.

The Australian, who finished the season as the SPL's top scorer, was delighted to play his part in Celtic's third championship in a row.

"It's something I'll never forget," he said. "After three years ago, it's great to put that right and I'm certainly going to enjoy this."

Last week, Rangers were in contention for an unprecedented four trophies.

But after losing to Zenit St. Petersburg 2-0 in the final of the UEFA Cup last Wednesday and conceding the league title to Celtic, Rangers can clinch only the cup double.

Rangers plays Queen of the South on Saturday in the Scottish Cup final, bidding to add to their Scottish League Cup title triumph last month.