Rangers take the title

Rangers claimed their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League title since 2004/05 in some style with a comfortable 3-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

Kyle Lafferty converted a Kris Boyd cross after just six minutes and Pedro Mendes cracked in the second from the edge of the area on the stroke of half-time.

Boyd swept home the third goal to complete a fine move seven minutes after the interval as Tannadice hosted a title party for the second season running.

It is a double celebration for Walter Smith's men, who go straight into the lucrative group stage of the revamped Champions League next season.

Celtic, who started the day bidding for a fourth successive championship, were held to a 0-0 draw by third-placed Hearts at Parkhead while Aberdeen beat Hibernian 2-1 at Pittodrie to pip Dundee United for a European place on goal difference.

Final Clydesdale Bank Premier League table 2008/09

SPL champions
1998/99 - Rangers - 77 pts (Dick Advocaat)
1999/00 - Rangers - 90 pts (Dick Advocaat)
2000/01 - Celtic - 97 pts (Martin O'Neill)
2001/02 - Celtic - 103 pts (Martin O'Neill)
2002/03 - Rangers - 97 pts (Alex McLeish)
2003/04 - Celtic - 98 pts (Martin O'Neill)
2004/05 - Rangers - 93 pts (Alex McLeish)
2005/06 - Celtic - 91 pts (Gordon Strachan)
2006/07 - Celtic - 84 pts (Gordon Strachan)
2007/08 - Celtic - 89 pts (Gordon Strachan)
2008/09 - Rangers - 86 pts (Walter Smith)