How Celtic won 2011-12 Scottish title

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How Celtic won 2011-12 Scottish title

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Celtic clinched their 43rd Scottish Premier League title on Saturday.

07 April,2012 07:05 pm

They did so in style with a 6-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock with five games remaining, but it was a feat that didnt look possible back in November.For three out of the past four years the race for the championship has been a nail-biting affair with the titles destination being decided on the last day of the season.In contrast - thanks in part to the 10 points Glasgow rivals Rangers were docked for entering administration in February - Celtic have cantered to this years title.However, things looked very different at the beginning of November when Neil Lennons side trailed Rangers by 15 points, albeit with two games in hand.Celtics problems began after they lost the first Old Firm derby in September to go four points behind, closely followed by another loss to Hearts.There were even questions raised about Lennons future after his side had to battle from three goals behind at half-time to claim a point against Kilmarnock in October as the Hoops languished in third spot in the SPL.But a narrow 2-1 win over Motherwell in November, which saw Lennons side leapfrog them into second place, saw the start of a remarkable run of results that quickly ate into Rangers lead.By the time the two sides met at Celtic Park at the end of December the Hoops only trailed Ally McCoists side by a single point.A second-half strike from Joe Ledley in that game helped Celtic top the table for the first time since September.The Gers were to fall further behind in the title race following a draw with Aberdeen before disaster struck for the Ibrox club as they entered administration in mid-February due to severe financial problems.An immediate 10-point penalty followed from the Scottish Premier League to all but end Rangers hopes of retaining the championship and McCoists side then went on to lose three of their next four games.However, Celtic were relentless in their pursuit of their first title in four years and won five league matches in February without conceding a goal.Lennons side had won 17 league games in a row before their winning streak was halted by a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen in March.Their 26-game unbeaten run in all domestic competitions was only ended by a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in Marchs League Cup final.The Hoops missed the chance to clinch the title at the home of their bitter rivals Rangers when they lost the Old Firm derby 3-2 on March 25.However, they recovered to clinch their 43rd league title against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, the same venue where they turned their season around in October when they staged a remarkable second-half comeback to claim a 3-3 draw.The title is a first for manager Lennon in only his second full season as boss since taking over from Tony Mowbray in March 2010, after coming within a point of the championship last season.There have been suggestions this seasons title triumph will be tainted by the penalty suffered by Rangers due to the financial crisis gripping their Old Firm rivals.But after leading the league since December Lennon reacted angrily to any suggestions that the title has been devalued by what has happened across the city at Rangers.I cant help the way some people think about what happened at Rangers, said Lennon.It is nothing to do with my players, nothing to do with my club and nothing to do with me.We have played very well this season and we played very well last season. We have been better this season and I think we have proved over the piece that we have been worthy champions. I think these players deserve it.—AFP