Super Celtic conjure up a fairytale as Strachan joins the ranks of the greats

At Pittodrie, Aberdeen's shock 2-0 win over a shattered Rangers side sparked ecstasy in Dundee, where Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's 72nd-minute header dispelled last-night nerves.

The triumph makes Gordon Strachan only the third Parkhead manager in the club's 120-year history to win three successive championships and marks an unlikely recovery 48 hours after the funeral of club legend Tommy Burns.

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Emotional: Strachan salues the Celtic fans while paying tribute to his friend, the late Tommy Burns

Afterwards, players and management were quick to pay tribute to their former friend and colleague, dedicating the victory to the former manager.

An emotional Scott McDonald said: "We loved him. He was just a gentleman at heart. God rest his soul. We did this for you Tommy - God bless."

McDonald famously denied Celtic the SPL title in 2005 when his two late goals for Motherwell against the Hoops handed the trophy to Rangers.

The Australian, who finished the season as the league's top scorer, was delighted to play his part in Celtic's third championship in a row.

"It's something I'll never forget," he said. "After three years ago, it's great to put that right and I'm certainly going to enjoy this."

The Celtic success is a remarkable story for a team who were seven points behind in April as Rangers enjoyed a game in hand.

A run of seven straight wins dragged Strachan's side back by the bootstraps.

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Vennegoor of Hesselink celebrates his winner with Stephen McManus

The Parkhead manager, facing calls for his head as recently as five weeks ago, held an impromptu huddle on the Tannadice pitch at time-up.

Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond cavorted alongside the Celtic players before they retired to the dressing room to await the arrival of the SPL trophy by helicopter and the joyous scenes as captain Stephen McManus lifted the trophy as chants for Burns rang round the ground.

The relief was palpable after a night of high drama which saw Rangers implode at Pittodrie, with Lee Miller and Darren Mackie scoring for the home side.

Nacho Novo was red carded for a two-footed lunge on Stuart Duff which rules him out of Saturday's Scottish Cup Final.

The Spaniard's petulant action summed up the frustrations for the Ibrox side after their fine SPL season ended in such despair.

But the title win secured manager Strachan his own page in Celtic history, becoming the first boss since the legendary Jock Stein to secure three consecutive championships.

"We've been written off and come back," said chief executive Peter Lawwell. "It's a wonderful night for this club. It has been a week for this club that we should all be proud of.

"It has been a very emotional week - terrible grief, terrible sorrow - but tonight we can be proud to be a Celtic supporter.

"Gordon Strachan goes down in Celtic's history as a legend."