MX23RW : Monday, December 16 09:00:06| >> :600:131232:131232:

On This Day: Rangers dramatically edge out Celtic to win title

Celtic-supporting striker Scott McDonald scored two late goals for Motherwell to deny Martin O'Neill's men.

There was high drama on this day in 2005 as Rangers edged out arch-rivals Celtic to win the Scottish Premier League title on the last day of the season.

The Gers were two points behind their neighbours heading into the last round but a stunning late recovery by Motherwell against the Hoops allowed Alex McLeish's men to clinch the title.

Rangers had arrived at Hibernian knowing they had to win to have any chance of overhauling Celtic and Nacho Novo's 59th-minute strike – his first goal for more than two months – provided that victory.

Motherwell v Celtic – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership – Fir Park
Motherwell's Scott McDonald late heroics denied Celtic (PA Images/Jeff Holmes)

And, as Rangers and Hibs played out a scoreline at Easter Road that would also ensure UEFA Cup football for the home side, thousands of ears instead became glued to radios in the hope of good news.

Martin O'Neill's Celtic appeared to have things firmly under control at Fir Park when Chris Sutton put them in front in the 29th minute and few had expected them to surrender their lead.

However, Terry Butcher's side staged an astonishing late rally, with Scott McDonald equalising in the 88th minute to put Rangers back in the driving seat.

Nacho Novo scored the only goal of the game which proved decisive for Rangers (PA Images/Lynne Cameron)
Nacho Novo scored the only goal of the game which proved decisive for Rangers (PA Images/Lynne Cameron)

McDonald, an Australian who had a Celtic-supporting father and a Rangers-supporting mother, then struck again in injury time when he cut inside and hit a shot which took a deflection and spun over goalkeeper Rab Douglas.

News of Celtic's 2-1 defeat sparked scenes of jubilation at Easter Road as Rangers rejoiced in recapturing the title in the most dramatic of circumstances.

ID:448601: cacheID:448601:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5314:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers' Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on May 15, 2021
Read Next:
Police investigating claims of "sectarian language" used by Rangers players
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!