Celtic sealed their eighth title in a row with victory over Aberdeen yesterday.
Here, The Sunday Post’s Danny Stewart looks back on eight matches that set up eight-in-a-row.
SEPTEMBER 2: Celtic 1 Rangers 0
© SNSThe first Old Firm derby of the season, and a result to burst the balloon of Rangers fans.
They went into this one hugely confident off the back of their team’s 12-game unbeaten run under new boss Steven Gerrard.
The Hoops, however, dominated the match, and while they only scored once – Olivier Ntcham finishing off a clinical counter-attack – the fact they also hit the woodwork four times told its own story.
Rangers’ keeper Allan McGregor had to pull off a string of fine saves to underline what a signing he would be for the challengers.
OCTOBER 7: St Johnstone 0 Celtic 6
© SNSSurprisingly, it took Celtic until the start of October to get their first away league win of the campaign – but what a victory it was.
Four goals from James Forrest in the space of 30 minutes made the Scotland internationalist the club’s first player to do so on the road since Maciej Zurawski against Dunfermline in February, 2006.
Saints had Danny Swanson sent off, but his dismissal came when the scoreline was already 5-0, so it couldn’t be considered a factor in the game’s outcome.
The result was also significant in that it saw Celtic close the gap on Hearts, who were then leading the division, to three points.
DECEMBER 8: Celtic 5 Kilmarnock 1
© SNSArguably the Hoops’ most-swaggering win of the season.
Killie went into the game as Premiership leaders and, for many in the media anyway, title contenders.
By full-time, though, they were nursing their wounds, thanks to a performance of pace, power and desire from the champions.
Brendan Rodgers called it “close to perfection” and one of the best performances under his charge.
The final score could have been even more emphatic, as Celtic also hit the woodwork twice.
DECEMBER 29: Rangers 1 Celtic 0
© SNSBrendan Rodgers’ first defeat in 13 Old Firm games, and a stunning first success in the fixture for Steven Gerrard.
The margin of defeat was narrow, but it could have been worse if not for Craig Gordon.
As painful as losing to his former player was for Brendan Rodgers, it was all the motivation his side required to focus them on the size of the job at hand.
On their return after the winter break, they won their next nine league games – the first half-dozen without even conceding a goal.
FEBRUARY 27: Hearts 1 Celtic 2
© SNSThe first post-Brendan Rodgers outing was a nerve-shredding affair for caretaker manager, Neil Lennon.
Having taken the lead through James Forrest, they looked set for a routine win when the Jambos’ Jamie Brandon was sent off.
However, after 10-man Hearts equalised, it took a stoppage-time strike from Odsonne Edouard to get Lennon’s second spell in charge off to a flier.
That was the signal for an exuberant celebration from the relieved Irishman.
MARCH 17: Dundee 0 Celtic 1
© SNSNeil Lennon said he had aged about three years in 90 minutes.
It was a timely reminder for him at just how soul-destroying a manager’s job – especially a caretaker manager – can be.
His players dominated, but looked for all the world as if they were going to drop two points, possibly even three, with Scott Bain called upon to deny Scott Wright from point-blank range.
But with Odsone Edouard producing a 96th minute winner, it turned out to be a great day for the Irishman after all.
MARCH 31: Celtic 2 Rangers 1
© SNSAn explosive derby win and – realistically, if not mathematically – the result which tied up 8-in-a-row.
Alfredo Morelos was sent off early on for lashing out at Scott Brown and Andy Halliday was red-carded after the final whistle for clashing with the Celtic skipper.
The furore could not mask the fact that the 10-man visitors had Celtic clinging on for long periods.
Not for the first time, however, Neil Lennon had James Forrest to thank for coming up with the winner, after Ryan Kent had equalised Odsonne Edouard’s first-half opener.
The win moved Celtic 13 points clear, and the fans were dreaming of title No. 9.
MAY 4: Aberdeen 0 Celtic 3
© Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesA match which mirrored so many as Celtic were edging their way towards an inevitable title.
The Dons had the better of the first half and the chances to reflect that.
But as has happened so often this season, the Hoops found a way to get the result required.
Headed goals on either side of the interval by Mikael Lustig and Jozo Simunovic put the destination of the league title beyond all doubt.
Odsonne Edouard’s third, just two minutes from time, was the cue for the party to begin at Pittodrie and anywhere else Celtic fans had gathered.
Now it’s on for a tilt at the treble Treble against Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final on May 25.
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