LONDON: Celtic won a record-equalling ninth consecutive season as the Scottish Premiership campaign was declared over on Monday.
Neil Lennon’s men were 13 points clear at the top of the table when the season was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic in March with eight games remaining for the majority of clubs.
“We have dominated the Premiership, winning 26 games out of 30. We have scored 89 goals, conceded just 19, and established a commanding 13-point lead at the top of the table. We are champions for a reason.
“We dedicate this victory to you. To all our supporters. To the key workers who are saving lives, cleaning hospitals, stacking shelves and shielding loved ones at home,” the club said on its website.
Second-placed Rangers had a game in hand to try and cut that gap and were due to face Celtic twice more before the end of the season.
A points-per-game formula for determining final league placings also sees bottom club Hearts relegated unless there is any progress in talks over league reconstruction.
“It is, of course, a real shame that we were not able to see out the league in front of our fans. However, no one can deny how deserved this title is,” Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell told AFP.
“While we rightly celebrate this fantastic, deserved achievement we must take time to consider the wider circumstances we have all been experiencing and remember those who have helped us through these unique and challenging times with such bravery and selflessness.
“We dedicate this title to everyone who has cared for us and all those who have been affected by these times of challenge and difficulty.”
The three leagues below the Premiership were ended over a month ago when clubs passed a controversial resolution that allowed the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) board to also bring the top flight to a halt if it deemed the games could no longer be played.
Last week Rangers failed to gain support of the 42 member clubs for an independent inquiry into how the vote on the resolution was passed.
