Celtic claim SPL title

The Hoops travelled to Tayside level on points with Rangers but four goals better off, and with Aberdeen beating the Ibrox side 2-0 at Pittodrie there was no eventual need for the tension that surrounded Tannadice for most of the match.

But in the 71st minute the big Dutchman removed any doubts when he headed a Paul Hartley corner past United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska to send the massive travelling support into raptures.

The win gave Celtic, who could have been 12 points behind Rangers at one stage if the Govan side had won their two games in hand, a final three-point advantage over their city rivals.

It also meant that manager Gordon Strachan became the first Parkhead manager since Jock Stein to win three successive championships.

Celtic had lost the championship on the last day of the season to Rangers most recently in 2003 and 2005 but were not to be denied this time at a ground where they had not lost this century.

The visitors took time to settle before Aiden McGeady's effort in the 12th minute was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Zaluska.

The game roared from end to end, Celtic edging possession as their corner count mounted with United retaining a threat on the break.

News of Aberdeen's opening goal against Rangers had the travelling fans in raptures but Celtic still had to defend against a tenacious United side.

But in the 71st minute the visitors wrapped up the title in simple fashion when Hartley's corner from the left was met by Vennegoor of Hesselink, who bulleted a header in from six yards to leave the army of Hoops fans celebrating, almost oblivious to the game going on.