Rangers in dramatic title triumph

Hibernian 0-1 Rangers Photos from the final-day drama

Rangers pipped rivals Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title after a dramatic final day of the season.

The Gers went into the final game two points behind their Glasgow rivals but a sensational late fightback by Motherwell gave them the title.

Celtic led through Chris Sutton but two goals in the closing minutes from Scott McDonald earned Motherwell a 2-1 win.

Nacho Novo's goal gave Rangers a 1-0 win over Hibernian, who qualified for Europe, to see them leapfrog Celtic.

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Aberdeen beat Hearts 2-0, but they were edged out of the Uefa Cup spot on goal difference.

Celtic were firm favourites to retain the title at the start of the day, leading Rangers by two points.

It all looked to be going to plan when Chris Sutton put them in front in the 29th minute.

Motherwell 2-1 Celtic

Martin O'Neill's side had chances to put the game beyond doubt, but were denied by Motherwell's outstanding keeper Gordon Marshall.

And Terry Butcher's side staged an astonishing late rally, with McDonald equalising in the 88th-minute to put Rangers back in the driving seat.

Australian-born striker McDonald, who is a Celtic supporter, then devastated the travelling Bhoys fans by grabbing a second in injury time.

Rangers, who had to wait until the 59th minute to break down Hibernian's stiff defence courtesy of Novo's first league goal since 2 March, held on for victory and had to wait for the full-time whistle to go at Fir Park to confirm the title.

News of Celtic's defeat sparked scenes of jubilation at Easter Road as Rangers rejoiced in recapturing the title in the most dramatic of circumstances.

I think overall we showed we were the best team Fernando Ricksen More reaction to Rangers' title triumph

Rangers boss Alex McLeish said he never gave up hope that they could overtake their rivals.

"We always dreamed that something like this might happen," he said.

"It has been a phenomenal finish to the season in general and for us to clinch the title the way we did - we certainly know how to put ourselves through it.

"When it sinks in I think I'll probably reflect and say it is the highlight of my career."

Rangers skipper Fernando Ricksen said his team deserved to win the title.

It's very painful and disappointing for the players Martin O'Neill More reaction from the Celtic camp

He said: "We were never worried about Celtic because we knew what we had to do. We knew Motherwell could win - it is hard to go there and I'm glad they did so well against Celtic."

Celtic boss O'Neill was devastated in defeat and put their loss down to his side's inability to kill off Motherwell.

He said: "We had enough chances to win the game by six or seven goals and we always felt it would be difficult without the second goal.

"We had unbelievable chances to get the second goal and spurned them all."

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Results:

FT Aberdeen 2-0 Hearts
Match report
FT Hibernian 0-1 Rangers

Match report

FT Motherwell 2-1 Celtic

Match report

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Goalflashes and major incidents:

Photos from the final day in the SPL

1554: FULL-TIME Motherwell 2-1 Celtic
It is all over at Fir Park and the most unlikely of finishes, with Motherwell stealing the three points and denying Celtic the title in the most dramatic of fashions.

1554: FULL-TIME Aberdeen 2-0 Hearts
Aberdeen secure victory in their final game of the season, but they are unable to get the goals to overtake Hibs for the final European spot.

1554: FULL-TIME Hibernian 0-1 Rangers
The full-time whistle goes at Easter Road and Rangers must now wait and see if Motherwell can hold on.

1553: GOAL Motherwell 2-1 Celtic
The incredible turnaround looks complete as Scott McDonald grabs a second in stoppage time.

1547: GOAL Motherwell 1-1 Celtic
Unbelievable scenes at Fir Park as Scott McDonald hooks the ball into the top corner to level matters. Celtic look like throwing away the title in the dying minutes of the season.

1535: Motherwell are pushing for a late equaliser and James Paterson's corner causes havoc, with Neil Lennon forced to make a last-ditch clearance.

1522: Celtic are throwing everything at Motherwell but Gordon Marshall is inspired form in keeping them out.

1516: GOAL Hibernian 0-1 Rangers
Rangers give themselves some hope when a shot from Nacho Novo from the right is deflected off Gary Caldwell and into the net.

1512: Craig Bellamy wastes a good chance to give Celtic a two-goal cushion when he is clean through on goal, but his shot is kept out by the palm of Gordon Marshall.

1508: GOAL Aberdeen 2-0 Hearts
Aberdeen double their lead through a Derek Adams header. The Dons are closing on Hibs, but they still face an uphill battle to secure the final Uefa Cup spot.

1503: Celtic receive an early let-off as Stephen Craigan's point-blank header is blocked on the line by Didier Agathe's face and the Bhoys eventually clear the ball.

1502: The second half gets under way in the three games.

1452: The half-time whistle goes at Pittodrie, with Aberdeen leading through Richie Byrne's goal just before the break.

1448: GOAL Aberdeen 1-0 Hearts
Aberdeen take the lead on the stroke of half-time through Richie Byrne, who headed in a Scott Severin free-kick for his first league goal for the club.

1447: It is half-time at Easter Road and Rangers, who need to win to have any chance of pipping their rivals to the title, are being held 0-0.

1446: The half-time whistle goes at Fir Park. Motherwell have made life difficult for Celtic, but Chris Sutton's goal would be enough to crown them Scottish champions once again.

1430: GOAL Motherwell 0-1 Celtic
Chris Sutton puts Celtic in front when he slides in to finish off a rebound after Motherwell keeper Gordon Marshall could only parry Alan Thompson's centre.

1416: Celtic are close to taking the lead when Craig Bellamy hits the outside of the post after linking up well with John Hartson and Chris Sutton.

1411: Nacho Novo strikes a shot against the post for Rangers when Hibs keeper Simon Brown misjudges the bounce of a long ball from Alex Rae.

1401 BST: All three games get under way.