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GAWAinDromore · 05-23-2005, 05:34 PM

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.

I am a Rangers fan, but I am sincere in saying thank you to the rest of the SPL clubs for making this a hell of a season

From Lewnics

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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."

source: bbc.co.uk/sport

Get in there! COME ON THE GERS!