Brendan Rodgers has reaffirmed his commitment to Celtic as the newly crowned champions wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title for the fourth successive season – their 55th and second trophy of the campaign – with a 5-0 thrashing of Dundee United at Tannadice.
Rangers had kept the race going last Sunday by coming from two goals down, and with 10 men to draw 2-2 at Aberdeen. However, Celtic’s cruise took them 18 points clear on top, rendering Rangers’ later 2-2 draw at St Mirren irrelevant to the title.
The Celtic manager told Sky Sports: “I am very hungry to win. We want to be the most successful team we can be. I will be here next year, 200%. I said 150% a few weeks ago. I have never been happier here.
“Leading into this game there was a little bit of negativity around the league and the competition, but we can only concentrate on ourselves. Our mentality has been so, so good. The competition is for everyone. When it matters, this team has produced, it’s not our fault we’re 18 points clear and scoring goals. It’s important to keep the motivation and the hunger at this stage of the season and we know what we want to achieve and what records we want to beat.”
An own goal by Dundee United’s Ryan Strain set Celtic on their way after 30 minutes before Nicolas Kühn added two more before half time, the first of which was a fine finish at the back post after a devilish cross from the left by Arne Engels. Adam Idah made it 4-0 after 47 minutes with a smart header and the forward added another in the 58th minute with a sharp right-footed finish.
Last season Brendan Rodgers’s side won the title by 12 points, but this season has proved a mismatch, as despite losing four of their 34 matches – one more than in all of last season – the chasing pack have been unable to capitalise. Rangers, however, have done the league double over their rivals this calendar year – with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Ibrox in January followed by a thrilling 3-2 win last month at Celtic Park.
Celtic, though, will press on in search of a treble. They beat Rangers on penalties after a six-goal thriller in December’s final of the Scottish League Cup and last Sunday they beat St Johnstone 5-0 to reach next month’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen.
Celtic have now claimed 21 of the last 26 domestic trophies in Scotland. Only Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final stand in the way of 22 from 27 and six trebles in nine seasons.
Hearts have parted company with their head coach, Neil Critchley, after Saturday's 1-0 home loss to Dundee. Critchley had been in the job for six months, succeeding Steven Naismith in October.
His departure and that of his assistant, Mike Garrity, come with the Edinburgh side having claimed only one point from their last four Premiership matches as well as losing the semi-final of the Scottish Cup to Aberdeen last weekend. The club confirmed in their announcement on Saturday evening that Liam Fox, as had been the case before Critchley's arrival, will once again take interim charge.
Hearts supporters made their feelings clear in the aftermath of the defeat to Dundee, in which Simon Murray struck for the visitors seven minutes before half-time.
After the game, Critchley had expressed his belief that he could turn things around. "I totally understand the frustration when you lose at home," he said.
After only missing out on a place in the top six on the final round of fixtures before the split, Hearts now have concerns at the bottom end of the table. Only five points separate Hearts and Ross County in the relegation playoff danger zone, with the sides meeting next weekend in Dingwall. PA Media
“Amazing performance, outstanding. It means the world to us. We wanted to perform because if we do, we know we’ll get what we want,” the Celtic captain, Callum McGregor, told Sky Sports. “The sky is the limit for us, we were so good today. We have four league games to try and arrive into the Scottish Cup final in the best moment and if we do that, we have the chance to do something special this season.”
However, there was disruption before the triumph as Celtic fans threw dozens of tangerines on to the pitch in protest at Dundee United’s pricing. Celtic had raised concerns with the Scottish Professional Football League after United set adult ticket prices at up to £42 for away supporters when it became clear the leaders would clinch the Premiership title with a point at Tannadice.
The game was held up early on when a number of pieces of fruit were thrown on at 12.42pm, about 11 minutes into the encounter. Celtic fans chanted about the prices as the pieces of fruit came on and held up a banner stating: “Enjoy the fruits of our labour.” The tangerines were cleared off the pitch by both Celtic players and United stewards. In the second half a number of footballs were thrown on to the pitch, leading to a second delay.
Before kick-off, a well-observed minute’s silence was held for Pope Francis on the day of his funeral. Celtic fans also paid tribute with banners and Vatican flags and chanted “Papa Francesco” before the silence began and it was perfectly observed after a few early shouts.
