Celtic sealed their fourth successive Scottish Premiership title in style with a resounding 5-0 victory over Dundee United on Saturday.
Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah both netted twice after Ryan Strain’s early own goal set the tone for Celtic’s 13th league crown in the past 14 seasons.
With four matches remaining, Celtic now sit 18 points ahead of second-placed Rangers, who still have five games left to play.
The Glasgow giants have dominated Scottish football, claiming 21 of the last 26 domestic trophies, as Brendan Rodgers’ side once again asserted their supremacy.
Needing only a draw at Tannadice to secure the title, Celtic turned on the style to ensure their celebrations were full of flair. It echoed their title win last season, when a 5-0 victory at Kilmarnock delivered the crown during Rodgers’ first campaign back at Parkhead.
This latest triumph marks Rodgers’ 11th major trophy as Celtic manager and keeps his side on course for a historic sixth domestic treble in nine seasons. They will have the opportunity to complete the feat when they face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final in May.
Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Club legend James Forrest added another chapter to his illustrious career, collecting a record-breaking 26th winners’ medal, surpassing the mark set by 1967 European Cup winner Bobby Lennox.
Speaking after the win, Celtic captain Callum McGregor said, “An amazing performance, simply outstanding. It means the world to us. The sky is the limit for this group. We want to finish strong and arrive at the cup final in peak form.”
There was a brief pause in proceedings when Celtic supporters threw dozens of tangerines onto the pitch, protesting against Dundee United’s ticket prices, which reached up to £42.
Despite the interruption, the title had long seemed inevitable. Rangers struggled to keep pace early in the season, while Aberdeen’s promising start faded badly.
Celtic’s first league defeat did not come until January 2 against Rangers, but by then the Hoops were already well clear at the summit.
After criticising his players for complacency following a shock defeat to St. Johnstone earlier this month, Rodgers has seen an emphatic response, with Celtic scoring five goals in each of their last three matches.
Having also reached the Champions League knockout round play-offs, narrowly losing to Bayern Munich, Rodgers will now turn his attention to strengthening the squad for another domestic charge and a deeper European run next season.
