Celtic clinched the SPL title, their first 2008, with an emphatic 6-0 victory over a lacklustre Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Braces for the outstanding Charlie Mulgrew and league top scorer Gary Hooper were added to goals from Glen Loovens and crowd favourite Joe Ledley in a a game that resembled little with the intense contest that saw Killie come out on top in the League Cup final.
There was no chance of Celtic making their fans sweat as Mulgrew's first and Loovens added a second before 20 minutes were up. Mulgrew's second and a lovely volleyed finish from Hooper from Mulgrew's cross made it 4-0 at half time. The party was well and truly underway by now as the Celtic faithful ran through the full repertoire of songs in the East Ayrshire sunshine.
Kilmarnock provided a little more opposition in the second half but Celtic only had to contain the game as they enjoyed the vast majority of possession. Two late goals from Ledley and Hooper either side of the 90 minute mark put a gloss on a game where the score mattered little.
Celtic can now celebrate before the league splits. They have been by far the most consistent team through the course of the season and after a sluggish start, have lost only 1 league game in 6 months.
Manager Neil Lennon has hailed today as the 'best day' of his career, and one that sees him propelled from legendary status at the club to nigh God like status having led the club to league titles as player, captain and now manager.
An emotional Neil Lennon after the final whistle
After the match, captain Scott Brown said 'the team owed Neil Lennon the title' having come so close the previous campaign only to lose out by a single point.
After the disappointment of the League Cup final defeat, Celtic can now look forward to their Scottish Cup semi-final next week against Hearts at Hampden and hopefully the final beyond that to secure a domestic double.
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