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On This Day: Rangers dramatically edge out Celtic to win title

Celtic-supporting striker Scott McDonald scored two late goals for Motherwell to deny Martin O'Neill's men.

There was high drama on this day in 2005 as Rangers edged out arch-rivals Celtic to win the Scottish Premier League title on the last day of the season.

The Gers were two points behind their neighbours heading into the last round but a stunning late recovery by Motherwell against the Hoops allowed Alex McLeish's men to clinch the title.

Rangers had arrived at Hibernian knowing they had to win to have any chance of overhauling Celtic and Nacho Novo's 59th-minute strike – his first goal for more than two months – provided that victory.

Motherwell v Celtic – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership – Fir Park
Motherwell's Scott McDonald late heroics denied Celtic (PA Images/Jeff Holmes)

And, as Rangers and Hibs played out a scoreline at Easter Road that would also ensure UEFA Cup football for the home side, thousands of ears instead became glued to radios in the hope of good news.

Martin O'Neill's Celtic appeared to have things firmly under control at Fir Park when Chris Sutton put them in front in the 29th minute and few had expected them to surrender their lead.

However, Terry Butcher's side staged an astonishing late rally, with Scott McDonald equalising in the 88th minute to put Rangers back in the driving seat.

Nacho Novo scored the only goal of the game which proved decisive for Rangers (PA Images/Lynne Cameron)
Nacho Novo scored the only goal of the game which proved decisive for Rangers (PA Images/Lynne Cameron)

McDonald, an Australian who had a Celtic-supporting father and a Rangers-supporting mother, then struck again in injury time when he cut inside and hit a shot which took a deflection and spun over goalkeeper Rab Douglas.

News of Celtic's 2-1 defeat sparked scenes of jubilation at Easter Road as Rangers rejoiced in recapturing the title in the most dramatic of circumstances.

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Today's games header
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4 3
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(ret.)
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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