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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
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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