Rangers claim league title as an era comes to an end for Celtic

The link between Celtic and manager Martin O'Neill came to an end last month after the Parkhead supremo decided to dedicate more of his time to his family.

O'Neill took over at Celtic in 2000. He was replaced by Scot Gordon Strachan whose last managerial spot was at Southampton.

The championship this time went to the very last kick of the season. Rangers were kept waiting to know Celtic's result after they had won at Hibernian and the Bhoys were one up at Motherwell.

Yet, at the death, all changed as Motherwell scored two quick goals to give the crown to Rangers. The previous season, Celtic finished 17 points ahead of their rivals.

This year, Rangers also lifted the League Cup, defeating Motherwell 5-1 in the final.

The last domestic prize was reserved for Celtic to give O'Neill a much deserved parting win when his side beat Dundee United 1-0 in the final of the Scottish Cup.

Rangers and Celtic will compete in the Champions League next season. Hibernian and Dundee United (Scottish Cup finalists) will participate in the UEFA Cup.

Dundee were relegated to be replaced by Falkirk.

Individual prizes

Football Writers Player of the Year: John Hartson (Celtic).

PFA Players of the Year: John Hartson and Fernando Ricksen (Rangers).

Manager of the Year: Terry Mowbray (Hibernian).

PFA Young Player of the Year: Derek Riordan (Hibernian).

Premier League Top Scorers

25 - Hartson (Celtic)

21 - Riordan (Hibernian)

19 - Novo (Rangers)

Treble terriers

Hat-tricks that were scored in all competitions:

August 24: Lovell for Dundee (home) vs Forfar 4-0 (League Cup).

September 22: Wallace for Celtic (home) vs Falkirk 8-1 (League Cup).

September 25: Boyd - netted five - for Kilmarnock (home) vs Dundee United 5-2.

January 1: Todd for Dunfermline (home) vs Dundee 3-1.

January 22: Riordan for Hibernian (home) vs Kilmarnock 3-0.

March 19: Bellamy for Celtic (away) vs Dundee United 3-2.

April 13: Hartson for Celtic (away) vs Livingston 4-0.

May 7: Young for Dunfermline (home) vs Dundee 5-0.

Note: Where not indicated hat-trick netted in Premier League.

Penalty poachers

Spot-kick specialists in league:

Wilson (Inverness) 5

Lovell (Dundee) 4

Hartley (Hearts) 4

McBride (Motherwell) 4

Novo (Rangers) 4

Division One Top Scorers

17 - Darryl Duffy (Falkirk)

15 - Ian Harty (Clyde)

14 - Owen Coyle (Airdrie Utd)

13 - Daniel McBreen (Falkirk)

Division Two Top Scorers

21 - Chris Templeman (Morton)

20 - Paul Shields (Forfar)

15 - Steven Hampshire (Brechin)

14 - Paul Ritchie (Brechin), David Graham (Stranraer)

Division Three Top Scorers

38 - Kenny Deuchar (Gretna)

27 - David Bingham (Gretna)

21 - Scott Michie (Peterhead)

18 - Paul McGrillen (Stenhousemuir)