Gordon Strachan admitted steering Celtic to their third successive SPL title on Thursday was "one of the most fantastic occasions" of his life.Celtic's 1-0 win over Dundee United and Rangers' 2-0 defeat at Aberdeen ensured that Strachan's Bhoys pipped their Old Firm rivals by three points.

"This has been one of the most fantastic occasions of my life," said Hoops gaffer Strachan. "We had a challenge and accepted it and I want to celebrate it with guys who believed in me and who I believed in."

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored Celtic's winner and the Dutch striker was quick to dedicate the team's SPL triumph to former coach Tommy Burns.

Club legend Burns, who had been first-team coach, died seven days ago.

"It's incredible," said the Dutchman. "It's about Tommy Burns, it's a tribute to him. We did it and it's a great feeling."

Three years ago Celtic striker Scott McDonald famously denied the Bhoys the SPL title in 2005 when his two late goals for Motherwell against his current club handed the trophy to Rangers.

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

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

Two Old Firm victories in April proved the turning point in the campaign and chief executive Peter Lawwell was full of praise for Strachan for becoming the first Celtic manager since Jock Stein to win a league title hat-trick.

"He goes down in Celtic's history as a legend," Lawwell told the BBC. "We've been written off and come back. It's a wonderful night for this club.

"It's been a week for this club that we should all be proud of.

"It's been a very emotional week - terrible grief, terrible sorrow - but we can be proud to be a Celtic supporter."

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