Scottish Premier League - Rangers lift title

Eurosport - Sun, 24 May 19:50:00 2009

Rangers took the Scottish Premier League title in style with a 3-0 thrashing of Dundee United at Tannadice.

Rangers players celebrate after securing the SPL title, May 2009 - 0

With Rangers knowing that victory would lift them clear of Celtic regardless of other results, they were grateful for Kyle Lafferty's sixth-minute nerve-settler, but it wasn't until Pedro Mendes scored on the stroke of half-time to effectively settle the title that they truly began to relax.

And when Kris Boyd added a third just after the re-start, the identity of the Scottish champions was decided beyond any doubt.

Rangers had started the match at a blistering pace, clearly determined to take their destiny into their own hands - and it took them just six minutes to open the scoring.

Boyd made a great run down onto the right then banged in a cross which flew straight at Lafferty on the edge of the six-yard box - and the midfielder managed to get it in the back of the net with a left-foot strike that was either an astounding instinctive finish or a slice of luck for a player who had done well to be in the right place at the right time.

With the final European spot to play for the hosts threw everything at Rangers for the rest of the half.

And they came close to upsetting the party. First David Robertson's free header on the quarter-hour mark went disappointingly straight at Neil Alexander in the Rangers goal and David Goodwillie's well-worked opening looked dangerous until Sasa Papac slid in to block at the last minute.

Yet the Gers defence generally looked solid, with Papac and Steven Whittaker particularly effective, and it was the visitors who added to their lead.

Papac's free kick collided with the wall but span out to Mendes who unleashed a fabulous left-foot strike that weaved through the crowded box and in to the far corner.

With the home side playing for the final Europa League spot, manager Craig Levein prepared a double-substitution after half-time to try and increase his side's firepower.

Yet before the replacements could even come on, Boyd dashed past the last man to meet a cross from the right and thundered home to put the match beyond all doubt.

Celtic needed to beat Heart of Midlothian to maintain any hope of a fourth successive title but they could only manage a disappointing 0-0 draw.

Celtic Park was a cauldron of noise as the defending champions kicked off against Hearts, but the crowd had the wind knocked out of their sails as news of Lafferty's early goal filtered through.

Nonetheless, Gordon Strachan's men created a host of chances as they put the visitors under increasing pressure.

Shunsuke Nakamura fired a clever early free-kick under the jumping wall, bringing a sharp save from Marian Kello.

Scott McDonald missed a sitter on 21 minutes when Kello failed to hold a Scott Brown shot; the Australian blazing the rebound over with the goal gaping.

Aiden McGeady then forced another superb shot from Kello with a low shot from the edge of the box, as the agile Slovenian tipped the ball behind via the base of the right-hand post.

Kello came to Hearts' rescue yet again when Nakamura bore down on goal from the left 10 minutes before half-time, saving the Japanese midfielder's low shot with his legs.

As Rangers continued to pile on the goals, Celtic's challenge petered disappointingly out. Brown brought another handy save from Kello, but the home fans began to drift away long before the final whistle as the title went to Ibrox.

Dundee United's defeat proved costly, as they missed out on Europa League qualification to Aderdeen.

The Dons beat Hibernian 2-1 at Pittodrie to move fourth ahead of the Terrors on goal difference.

Lee Miller gave Aberdeen an early lead, before Charlie Mulgrew and Derek Riordan traded goals just before half-time.

Toby Keel / Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 132 - 151 of 211

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  1. THO THE STREETS BE BROAD OR NARROW ITS FOLLOW WE WILL

    From jim, on Sun 24 May 9:12PM

  2. I am delighted Rangers won the title so, maybe there­ will be silence in the green and white terrace for a­ wee while. Next season we will be at it again but­ please lets have a better fight from the likes of­ Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee Utd to see who­ finnishes second behind Rangers. Sir David will spend­ again to ensure we keep the momentum going. Next stop­ is Hampden for the Scottish Cup Training Match. I do­ feel sorry for ICT they blew it at home and only a draw­ was needed. Yours Aye, A happy soldier in Aghanistan­ doing his bit to ensure you can attend the footi every­ week!!

    From Midnight, on Sun 24 May 9:11PM

  3. Scotlandthe brave comment147 Your sooo right, and Ewan­ and Ruffy will get even more nonsense than the ones­ that you came up with! LOL

    From JEEMS, on Sun 24 May 9:03PM

  4. Where's the two fannies mingin whinger and his­ bumboy jones-been looking forward to here you­ congratulate the champions ,but as i knew you would,­ you crawl back into your hovel all silent.

    From D-bol, on Sun 24 May 9:02PM

  5. Helicopter Sunday - where would it go?
    Even the pilot,­ he didn't know.
    Will it be Glasgow, or is it­ Dundee?
    The answer was obvious, we pumped them by­ three.
    So go now and tell all the tims u may­ know,
    There's no f***ing chance of 4 in a row.

    From rangersloyal, on Sun 24 May 9:00PM

  6. lets face it Rangers done it when it realy­ mattered!

    its history now.

    lets look to the coming­ season.

    from a happy and glorious Glasgow Rangers­ supporter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From jim, on Sun 24 May 8:56PM

  7. we are the people that sing of voctory we'll follow­ glasgow rangers from kilmarnock to dundee then we do­ united and win the league big jock knew we are the­ people god bless rangers and all who follow

    From reenybob64, on Sun 24 May 8:54PM

  8. donneysbeck whit wid yi dae wi yir boaby??? BUM eis??­ yir yin o theim ir yi?

    From JEEMS, on Sun 24 May 8:51PM

  9. Saltire,Mcghee worries coz i think this season well­ have went backward. I agree COMPLETLY with your­ comments on Milne. The mans Friggin LOADED. . He­ should have invested more in the club years ago, and­ when you look at the gates Aberdeen still {outwith the­ old firm) have the biggest support, so I just dont buy­ all this mince that he wouldnt recoup some of his­ money. Mind you David Murray has spent loads on Gers­ and lost a lot as well, but thats coz he is a TRUE fan­ of your club. I have a sneaky feeling we are going to­ get Jim Jeffries AND DONNEYSBECK YOUR KEEPIN ME­ ENTERTAINED KEEP EM COMIN YA SCOTTISH WANNABE LOL OH­ AND THE BAIRNS NO LOST SHES SLEEPIN AHVE CONNED YIS AW­ AND AHM SPENDIN THE MONIES ON MAIR FANCY HOLIDAYS

    From JEEMS, on Sun 24 May 8:45PM

  10. Tippethill bottle washers could have ripped that hearts­ team to shreds, possible excuses are as follows:
    1.­ United lay down to let Rangers win
    2. The helicopter­ didn'nt have enough fuel to get to glasgow­ anyway
    3. strachan felt sorry for Rangers, and­ did'nt want to score anyway
    4. Samaras's hair­ got in his eyes
    5. Mcdonald tripped over the blades of­ grass
    6. Hearts played a defensive game.

    these are­ just some possible excuses, listen to the football­ phone in 2morro and you'll hear some of the­ absolute @#$% these W4NK3R5 spew.

    From scotlandthebrave1314, on Sun 24 May 8:40PM

  11. its party time come on you gers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From jim, on Sun 24 May 8:21PM

  12. Why are you worried about McGee mccannmccann another­ good manager but the point is all the managers that­ might or might not consider the job won't get­ proper backing financially the problem at your club is­ stewart milne he has never invested in Aberdeen im a­ rangers man but would love to see another club­ challenging us and celtic for the title.

    From saltire1872, on Sun 24 May 8:21PM

  13. OM COMIN TAY SHEG YEE MISTAR MCCANN. WETCH THOT BATTAM­ AF YARS. JAST KEEP AN EYE AN AT.

    From donneysbeck, on Sun 24 May 8:16PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    WETCH YAR BECK MISTAR MCCANN UR ILL STACK ME WEE PECKAR­ OPP YAR BATTAM.

    From donneysbeck, on Sun 24 May 8:15PM

  15. JEEMS MCCANN CANNAE KEEP THA HOWL AV HES WAINS.

    From donneysbeck, on Sun 24 May 8:14PM

  16. JEEMS MCCANN AS A NOBHEED FAE BURMINGHOM.

    From donneysbeck, on Sun 24 May 8:13PM

  17. Saltire you misunderstand. Im not a fan of his style.­ But i know he has done a good job with no funds. And i­ do worry who the board appoint next. My worry is McGee.

    From JEEMS, on Sun 24 May 8:10PM

  18. thats why we're champions thats why we're­ champions Walter smith well done i admit i had my­ doubts but i should have known you would come out on­ top you are a legend walter smiths blue and white army

    From saltire1872, on Sun 24 May 8:10PM

  19. Hats off to Rangers. We won it last year by winning our­ last 7 games, they won it this year by going on an­ equally impressive run, the only slip being the draw at­ Hibs. How can celtic fans, and samaras for that matter­ say we were the better side this season. the league­ table doesn't lie. strachans negativity cost us­ dearly. P.i.s.s poor strikers cost us dearly. Macdonald­ has a terrible 1st touch and his passing is woeful,­ samaras is just s.h.i.t.e. and has no heart for the­ fight. Big Jan had a poor season and as much as I love­ the man we need to replace him. we need to ship out all­ 3 main strikers and bring in front man who can trap a­ ball 1st time. We've been spoilt rotten in recent­ years with the likes of Larrson, big pierre, di canio,­ hartson and sutton to name but a few. Despite his goals­ scott macdonald is not celtic class. Both sets of fans,­ for once in your sad little lives stop all your­ sectarian nonsense and reflect on the football. Both­ sides were p.i.s.s. this year, only rangers were­ slightly less p.i.s.s. than we were. Congratulations to­ walter and ally but enjoy it while it lasts because if­ the Celtic board make a few shrewd decisions in the­ coming months we'll have our day in the sun next­ May. God bless Tommy Burns. May you R.I.P

    From mark, on Sun 24 May 8:06PM

  20. Sorry to butt in - RANGERS ARE THE CHAMPIONS.
    Septic­ Excuses part 1 1. The pitch was soggy
    ­ 2. It was Strachan
    ­ 3. It was McGeady
    ­ 4. It was Baloney­ sorry Maloney
    ­ 5. It was Baldes fault
    ­ 6. The pies were aff
    WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WE­ ARE THE PEOPLE

    From Jane, on Sun 24 May 8:02PM
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