Celtic: The Road To The SPL Title

AUGUST

Celtic began the season looking to make it three SPL titles in a row but the first game of the new term, the game that saw the League Championship flag raised, ended in a scoreless draw at home to Kilmarnock while Rangers set about their challenge by comfortably winning 3-0 away at Inverness.

Celtic atoned for their opening day sluggishness for the rest of the month by beating Falkirk and Aberdeen away and hammering Hearts 5-0 at Celtic Park in a game that saw both summer signings Masimo Donati and Scott Brown score for the Hoops.

Gordon Strachan's men ended August on a high by beating Spartak Moscow on penalties to qualify for the Champions League group stage with summer signing Scott McDonald to the score sheet for the Bhoys.

SEPTEMBER

In early September Celtic scored goals by the net-full, five past St Mirren away and at home to Inverness before two mistakes from Artur Boruc helped Hibs to a 3-2 win at Easter Road. The month ended with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Dundee United.

OCTOBER

October would be a month of mixed fortunes. The first game of the month saw the Hoops beat AC Milan 2-1 with Scott McDOnald getting the winner right at the death. Back in the SPL a 2-1 win away at Gretna saw Celtic top of the league going into the first Glasgow derby of the season... it would not go well, Rangers winning 3-0. Celtic then lost 1-0 at Benfica in the Champions League before seeing off Motherwell 3-0 in the SPL thanks to s Scott McDonald hat-trick. Things went bad again as Hearts came to Paradise, won 2-0 and knocked Celtic out of the CIS Insurance Cup on the last day of the Month.

NOVEMBER

A quiet month during which Celtic only played 4 times. Two home games in the Champions League resulted in a 1-0 win over Benfica an a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Celtic's two SPL games saw them win at Kilmarnock and beat Aberdeen in Glasgow.

DECEMBER

Rangers were given permission to cancel an away fixture with Gretna to prepare for their game at home to Lyon in the Champions League when a draw would have been enough for Walter Smith's side to progress to the last 16. It was not to be and Rangers were dumped out, beaten 3-0.

In the East End of Glasgow, Celtic progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League with the nine points they had amassed at home.

In the SPL things were not going as smoothly. Games against Hearts, St Mirren and Hibs ended in draws and the Bhoys lost 3-2 at Inverness after two goals from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had given them a healthy cushion. But Falkirk, (with help from an Aiden McGeady hat-trick), Dundee Utd and Gretna were beaten to keep Celtic on top of the SPL with Rangers having 2 games in hand. The month will be remembered for the tragic death of Motherwell skipper and former Bhoy Phil O'Donnell. The 35-year-old collapsed on the field of play as Motherwell

JANUARY

As a mark of respect to O'Donnell the 2nd January Glasgow derby was postponed, along with Celtic's away game against Motherwell three days later. The Hoops recorded 1-0 wins against Kilmarnock and Falkirk. Rangers took maximum points from four matches and opened up a seven point lead.

Celtic strengthened in the transfer window signing Barry Robson from Dundee Utd and German full-back Andreas Hinkel and taking striker Georgios Samaras on loan from Man City.

FEBRUARY

February started well with two 5-1 victories away from home against both Kilmarnock in the cup and Aberdeen in the SPL. Strachan's men followed this with victories over Hearts, St Mirren and Inverness. Celtic hosted Barcelona in the Champions League but the Catalan's proved too strong and despite some good play from the Hoops they lost 2-3. Rangers continued to churn out the wins and carried on their 100% run.

MARCH

The month when it all looked lost for the green and white side of Glasgow. At the Camp Nou, Barcelona beat Celtic 1-0 to knock the Bhoys out of Europe. Rangers won the CIS Insurance Cup after a penalty shoot-out with Dundee Utd and their SPL form was also good, three wins from three were secured, the last of which was a second home triumph over Celtic on a scoreline of 1-0. The Ibrox side now led by six points, having played a game less. Celtic meanwhile were knocked out of the Scottish Cup at home by Aberdeen. It looked like a long summer.

APRIL

The title race looked definitely over when Motherwell left Parkhead with a 1-0 win. But Rangers did not take advantage, drawing 3-3 with Dundee Utd at Tannadice. Celtic then won their rescheduled January match against Motherwell at Fir Park 4-1.

Next up it was Rangers at Paradise, the first of two home Glasgow derbies in 11 days. Nakamura put Celtic ahead with a 35 foot rocket to the top corner but Novo tied it up for Rangers. Deep in added time at the end of the game a header from Vennegoor of Hesselink gave the Bhoys the three points. Celtic then recorded a 1-0 win at home to Aberdeen, then it was Rangers again. Scott McDonald put Celtic ahead twice but Rangers came back through Weir and Cousin. Twenty minutes from time Barry Robson held his nerve to score the decisive penalty. Celtic were back on top of the SPL but Rangers had their games in hand.

MAY

The SPL announce an 'unprecedented' four-day extension to the league because of Rangers efforts in the Uefa Cup. Rangers were held 0-0 away at Hibs but beat Motherwell. They then 'beat' Dundee Utd with the help of referee Mike McCurry who admitted after the game he was wrong not to award Utd a penalty and was wrong to disallow a goal for Utd in the 3-1 defeat.

Celtic meanwhile beat Motherwell 2-1 away and Hibs 2-0 at home.

Rangers lost the Uefa Cup Final to Zenit St Petersburg and their fans decided to take out their disappointment on the Manchester City Centre. Three days later back in the SPL they were held to a 1-1 draw against Motherwell at Fir Park. The last of their games in hand ended in a 3-0 win against St. Mirren at Love Street which left them on the same points as Celtic but with the Hoops having a better goal difference of plus four.

The last day of the season was actually an evening, a Thursday evening. Rangers traveled to Aberdeen while Celtic went to Dundee Utd both games kicking off at the same time- the SPL trophy inside a helicopter midway between the two grounds.

Rangers went a goal down in the 63rd minute and Celtic supporters sensed victory. When Vennegoor of Hesselink scored for Celtic in the 72nd minute the nerves were settled and as news came through that Rangers were 2-0 down the party began and the helicopter could make its way to Tannadice and the Bhoys could celebrate 3-in-a-row!