08/04/2012 Sportscene

The Croatian and sharpness future does it again! -- sharpshooter does

White a finisher from Charlie Mulgrew! It must have felt like an

The title is well within their grasp. So the question was, would

there be a title party for the second successive season? The

answer is coming up as we reveal the SPL began in the company of Pat

Nevin. We would have liked to have a Celtic manager or coach with us

as well. We did ask! Here is how it all unfolded at Rugby Park

all unfolded at Rugby Park yesterday. Kilmarnock attempted to

spoil the party would this line up. -- with this line out. This was the

team Celtic had hoped to have crossed at the finish line. Anthony

Stokes was on the bench. The supporters are packed up to the

rafters. Charlie Mulgrew rises! The perfect start to what they hope

will be a perfect day. Gary Hopkins side. A two-goal lead! A lovely

net. There will be some champagne bottles being opened in parts of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

Mulgrew is one of the contenders of the year, surely. A lovely spot.

There is Collins. Another great will. Celtic are flooding in. It is

still Collins. The defender does enough. Here is a more grow. --

something we haven't seen too often. A useful ball. Forster gets it.

Still the chance. Forster did well. the already pretty impressive lead.

Matthews up against Hopkins. Matthews has done really well.

There is a clearance. Terrific play by Adam Matthews. There is her

once more. That is a fine goal from Celtic. They are enjoying

themselves this afternoon. Lovely, into a good mover. A delightful

finish to round it off for that later. -- lovely comic injured Kit

the back of the Nat. A lovely strike -- to the back of the net.

At a lovely strike. You could not win their first SPL title in four

years. There has been a long wait but they are finished with it now.

The celebrations can begin in earnest. One of the Champions'. A

fine way to seal the title victory. No trophy presentation yesterday.

No trophy presentation yesterday. That will happen on 13th May when

Celtic play their last home game of the season. Neil Lennon bared his

emotions when he spoke afterwards. Ultimately, you are just on

championships. Cups are not enough. I came here in 2000 and we had a

great time winning championships. I would not say we took it for

granted. When you look back on your career you probably never really

appreciate it and tell you have lost it and then you realise what a

great achievement it was. A lot of people would say it is only this or

that or the other but when you win a championship it is special. It is

hard. We have not done it for three years. Doing it today, it is a

great day for the club and the supporters. A great moment for Neil

Lennon. Well done to him. His success is all the greater when you

think about what he has had to contend with in the background and

the foreground. It is a hard enough job to do and -- to do in any

circumstance. A seasoned manager once said that this job would bust

your head. He has been under a huge amount of pressure. I think he is

coping with it admirably. A at Rugby Park, despite the perfect day

for Celtic, it was like a home game, because it was full of Celtic

supporters. If there was any doubt about Charlie Mulgrew it -- there

were not any after the game. There is nobody much better in Scotland

or England either. Fantastic. He has basically destroyed Kilmarnock.

It is the perfect way to start the game. He just played beautiful

game. He just played beautiful football. It is brilliant. The want

to win at the leak in -- you want to win the lead in the right way.

Everything went absolutely perfectly. It could have gone

perfectly. It could have gone another way. They won it the

perfect way and it will live in their memories forever. The scenes

back at Celtic Park were incredible as well. The players were looking

to capture the moment, because when you are a winning your first title,

it is amazing. A lot of people do not get tickets. You cannot really

get a bus trip to Glasgow for the obvious reasons. This is the way it

has to be done. It was well deserved. To do it in the Celtic

way, the attacking way, the skilful and entertaining way, you can see

that is the way they did it today. Let's look back on five key moments

and what has been an amazing title turn around, starting, of course

with this game. The season had started well. Stokes did a great

job. They started to believe. There is more grow again. You can feel

the team just growing. -- there is Charlie Mulgrew again. I think it

was an important game. This was the start of the winning run. It was a

believe that just a cab going. -- that just kept going. They take

over Motherwell in this game. So many players were used at important

times. You forget that the players who were left behind in the last

season. That was hugely significant, as was this special goal from

Wanyama. Forster did an amazing job Wanyama. Forster did an amazing job

as well. This was the last minute. Forster had tough times before that.

He became better and better. I think Rangers not only beat them at

Celtic Park, but they motored their Celtic Park, but they motored their

way. It was not a question of if, but when. Look at these pictures of

the Neil Lennon from yesterday. Look at the release of a joy here.

There is only one word I can think of. Ecstasy. It is absolute ecstasy.

Because he knew it was going to happen, you think it would have

lasted. That is why the Celtic fans adore Neil Lennon. They adore him

because he has exactly the same passion as the most extraordinary

Celtic fan and it shows you how Let's chart his record as manager.

Tony Mowbray had the joy of winning all the league games to the close

but not out by Notts County in the semi-finals. Then Neil Lennon last

here won the Scottish Cup. Then this here they won the Scottish Cup

-- will be when the Scottish Cup? The won the SPL with five matches

remaining and plenty of room there. I thought the Celtic could when and

not lose by a competition for years to come. Whether anyone could catch

them in the lead after the difficulties Rangers have been

through just now. Even if a Rangers managed to get through their

difficulties I think Neil Lennon has put together a fantastic squad.

This could be the start of something special. We have seen in

all of the newspapers today the word legend rolled out regularly

about Neil Lennon. Hold on a minute, he has started at something which

could propel him into being at real Celtic legend. It is a bit early to

use that term. He has got every opportunity to do that if he wants

to stick at this job. He will have to want to build it. What does he

have to do to their squad to be competitive initially in the

Champions' League qualifiers? is the Big Ben. The Champions'

League. We all expect them to go on to dominate domestically. -- that

is the big one. I think they probably need another centre-back,

probably a big back-up goalkeeper. Apart from that it is just getting

the best out of the players that they have all of the time. I think

they have probably got close to enough of a squad. Hibernian were

today hoping to take another step towards safety but they were

looking to improve on a rather horrible home record. Hibernian had

their on-loan midfielder Soares on 4 -- from the start. Motherwell

were minus their suspended peer. blustery day. Page stretches for

the ball. He catches the goalkeeper. Jonathan Page, it was there to be

attacked but he may end up in the book. The goalkeeper was cot and

the referee issues at yellow-card. Here is spiral. He cut inside. He

was taken out late. That is a free- kick on the edge of the box. He is

capable of getting a corner. Garry O'Connor steps up and scores. He

manages to get power and accuracy and the end result is at goal. A

fine strike. It zipped past the goalkeeper. Hibernian have the lead.

Their effects. -- Griffiths. Highball away took was born. Soares.

They have to start and the restart the air attack. Again to Soares. He

rattles be stopped -- he rattles the crossbar. Tom Soares. He

rattled be framed. He will continue his run. Across. That is nice

possession. On to Nicky Law. Control and finish from Nicky Law.

Motherwell are equal. Hibernian were lax at the back. Great control.

That was dispatched well. Motherwell are level. Goal number

six of the season for Nicky Law. That is a good ball. It was

launched long. Nobody is coming. He had to flash it across the

goalkeeper himself. The back-up was not getting there. Leigh Griffiths

had to take it himself. Hutchison was a robbed and here is a chance

in attack for Hibernian. It is have detect. It will be a yellow card

and that man has already been booked so off he will go. It is not

a straight red card but two yellows make bread. Jonathan Page is sent

off in stoppage time. The striker got there first. Page 2 ken down.

No question. Garry O'Connor has scored once from a free-kick but he

scored once from a free-kick but he cannot find a sensational finish.

Not be three points Hibernian would have liked. But that. Edges them a

little bit closer to safety. Are they safe yet? I think they were

just 10 minutes from being saved today. They are probably as good as

safe but they will not relax until they certainly get another win.

Hibernian, if they could get their home form, surely be cannot be this

bad next year? There are signs of hope. I look at the team that he is

trying to build the and I think they are probably good enough to

stay up but I have been saying that for two years now and I think it is

time to push on for Hibernian. was there today and it was not a

game packed with great things but it did include two great goals. The

first one from Garry O'Connor. can be run up here. It is only two

or three steps but look at the power he got on that. There are

very few players can do that. That is a storming strike. He has scored

a lot of goals and he has scored important goals, that is what is

important. And this call was not easy. It is a good technique. It is

a good driving ball when it comes off your feet that clean. Tom

Soares has to go for height and distance with his head and he does

not get that but I think that was difficult and a great strike beer.

More often than not players in that position would sky it over the bar.

He did not, he kept it down. good points for Motherwell as well?

I think so. But they cannot relax. They know that everyone will chase

them until the end of the season but it is hard to put Adam -- a run

of results at the end of the season because you are tired. And the man

who has been dubbed the Gambian Roberto Carlos, presumably by

himself! He is only inches off getting it in the right place but

it does not have made you look foolish. He is an interesting

player. He will become a cult hero. Motherwell got out of Edinburgh

with a point but they did not, sadly, get out of the capital with

the team bus. A bridge too low here. One of the staff said he had a

really quick way of getting out of Edinburgh. I have heard of the

wheels coming off but the roof coming of? They had to get home on

buses, trains and taxis. I think they will live with that. Now St

Johnstone against Inverness after Johnstone against Inverness after

the Dundee United game. Let's face the Dundee United game. Let's face

it. Managers are a bit biased. Scott Robertson running across is

an element of contrast but not the sturdiest of stone walls. Darren

Mackie almost rather snatched at best chance when it game. The fact

he was holding back helped 10 in the end. Three games without a goal,

Aberdeen finally reacquainting themselves with the back of the net.

After an errant back-pass it was very nearly 2-0. So, United 1-0

behind. A bit of a shock for the system. Jon Daly sprawled on

bedecked but not much call for an Dundee United penalty and the thick

red line held firm. Jostled for a high ball and rev three Calum

Murray opted for the latter. Just what or have time Dundee United

levelled the score. Into the second half and from Paul Dixon's free-

kick banning the rose highest but he only ruffled the side netting.

They were nothing like the Masters they have been of late. In the 68th

minute McArdle clipped in a high ball which looked fairly routine

for the keeper but he spelled and Chris Clark could not miss. 2-1 to

Aberdeen. United now a struggling. Aberdeen were now bursting forward

in rampant fashion perhaps with one eye on the Cup semi-final next

weekend. But there was to be no denying Aberdeen. Best header just

12 minutes from time sealing their victory. The Dundee United Express

train to Europe taking and shunting in the Granite City. St Johnstone

have sneaked up on the blind side and now have a real chance of

grabbing the Champions' League slot. This man nearly blasted in a big

hole to those aspirations, the post to the rescue. Richie Foran with a

shot from a range which was batted away and then in the second half a

moment of controversy as this man went down in the box under

challenge. The saints thought this was a penalty but even with the

replay it is difficult to tell. Cillian Sheridan was then kept out

and from a Liam Craig corner, best man squandered a chance to win it

and leap frog and the United into and leap frog and the United into

4th place. They were denied a penalty at Celtic Park last weekend

and then again here. You are going to try to talk me out of it, aren't

you? I am. There was no contact. The players got between him and the

ball. Sometimes these ones are given. It is a tough one for

referees. Sometimes when it is a certain day you get it. I think the

defender got back well and although he was jostled off the ball it is a

Look at his left foot as he goes through. I think he loses his

footing. His left foot just goes there. I do not think anyone is

touching him. You need a referee who was right there on the line.

who was right there on the line. Aberdeen needed the goals. They

were struggling going into next week's semi-finals. A big day for

them to get this. I am giving that a verdict of deliver it. That was

not deliberate. They have actually got different players scoring

different goals. That would be a huge boost for them. Had they gone

and won that game, which they probably deserved to win, they

would have been three points behind Motherwell. -- Motherwell. It is

fantastic how well they have done this season. We have seen Aberdeen

and we have seen Hibs. How will the semi-finals go next week? A thing

Aberdeen are absolute favourite. -- I think. You never know what you

will get. I will try to be unbiased about it. Hearts were at East End

Park to place a Dunfermline team Park to place a Dunfermline team

that had not won a league match in five months. It has been a funny

old season for Jim Jefferies. He started as the manager of Hearts

but not for long. He was replaced. But Dunfermline was unable to be

Ian Black. A free kick. Ian Black is going into the book. A strong

challenge from Hearts on the right. A yellow card has been produced for

the first time this afternoon. You always wonder about his reputation.

He goes in hard and that was hard. Ian Black. Alex Keddie will get

their to thump it clear. The good work done by Dunfermline has been

undone. They are trying to make it right around the goalkeeper. --

they are trying to make it go right around the goalkeeper. What a good

save their. It came off the back of Macmillan. Just two minutes in Andy

start of the second half. -- in the start of the second half. Robinson.

Back out to the corner. Grainger's sends it back across to Gary Glen.

-- Grainger sense it back. Gary Glen scores for the team. It came

back to him. It ran into the post. Three minutes down in the start of

the second half and Dunfermline are down again. A free-kick. Clear that

there by Alex Keddie. -- it was other. Alex Keddie is asking if it

was an own goal. I think the answer is that it was. Alex Keddie just

brushing by the way. He sent it past his own goalkeeper. The hero

Black. -- Grainger flicks it wide. It goes off to Ian Black. Good

passing there. Six minutes to play. Park. Dunfermline have a lifeline.

Park. Dunfermline have a lifeline. A lovely spin. Dunfermline have a

chance. You will wonder if Dunfermline will get seven points.

They have done themselves in it too often with their own goals like

that. The offensively they have not been strong enough. I do not think

they have been battered by that many teams. You would think they

must have been absolutely off. I do not think they have been. They have

players. There is some great skill there. If they do it up front it

goes in at the back. That is where they fail. I think they have been

lucky in the defence department this season. They need to do

something special. There were doubts last week about Hearts even

getting in. It is unlikely they will catch Motherwell for the

qualifying place. Is that possible? We have all watched the madness

that has gone on at Ibrox and we have forgotten the things going on

at heart. It has been astonishing. They have kept a fairly clear head

in the midst of it all. They have come out strong as well. If they do

get up to four place I think it has been a great season. As the

takeover talks go on, Ally McCoist's team has tried to tighten

their team. We can now see them at Lee McCulloch has put Rangers up by

one in the first minute. 44 seconds on the clock. Davies picked out Lee

McCulloch. He was in a dangerous deflected. That is a penalty!

Steven Thomson the midfielder with advantage for the Rangers. Off at

the base of the post. Seems off the hook. Fans are holding up the red

card to protest against liquidation. Troubled times for the Ibrox side.

He goes all the way himself but the goalkeeper make the save. There

seems to have been plenty of possession but Rangers have had all

penalty. A goal! -- it is a through to the penalty. The second goal

that puts Rangers in a very commanding position. They are the

only defeated side against Rangers this season, St Merryn. A real blow

for them to lose that second goal. -- St Mirren. Oh, I'm lucky --

unlucky. Alan McGregor was taking interval. Good save up by McGregor.

But a superb opportunity was missed to bring some momentum back into

this game, right on half-time. St Merryn doing the early passing in

the second half. It is a passionate her St Mirren. -- St Merryn.

into the game. We McCullough. -- St isn't it? Penalty conceded. It is

Lee McCulloch. Missed again! This time the goalkeeper saves. The

Rangers have had Tim Eggar penalties today and have missed

them both. -- have had two McCulloch sent off, trying to get

into it. It is another penalty kick! Poorly defended once again by

St Mirren. Here comes a substitute. This is his first touch. And that

should be the point four at Rangers. -- the. For Rangers. -- the point

for Rangers. A little waiting in the middle. It was he who got the

final touch on to it. The ball came will be some gold. Just do not have

the finish. -- this will be some gold. A box of tricks opened up

An important win for Rangers, and an amazing game as well. I do not

think I can remember seeing something like that in my entire

career. There is no need for the big triple loop at the end. It is a

shame though because they have been playing brilliantly. My Gallen had

a very good game. Now the referee has this to deal with as well. --

there. In the end I think Rangers there. In the end I think Rangers

have deserved it because they have actually played really well and the

last three weeks. It is astounding for a team that is under the

pressure that they are. It is one of those classic occasions where

they can just do their job. It is working well for them. But it must

be really hard for them to focus. I keep expecting deadlines for the

deadlines. It is getting computing in terms -- confusing. Whatever

happens the supporters do not want the gradation. They do not want the

history of the Rangers wiped away foot of -- they do not want

liquidation. I think most people hope that does not happen. A huge

history in the club. It would be a shame for them. Everything they can

do they will absolutely do. In the end it is not up to them. Let's

take a look at the Clydesdale Bank Rangers are looking strong in

second. Hearts could still catch up. Aberdeen have gone above St Mirren.

Hibs are now seven points ahead of seemingly doomed Dunfermline. No

SPL action next weekend, with Scottish Cup semi-final taking