CELTIC have been declared Scottish Premiership champions for the 2019-20 season – with Hearts relegated to the Championship.
The Hoops were awarded their ninth consecutive title after the SPFL formally cut the season short due to the spread of coronavirus.
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Celtic bagged their ninth league crown on the bounce
Celtic have been crowned champions with the season axed
Fans celebrated Celtic’s triumph outside the stadium on Monday
The season was initially postponed indefinitely but has now been called to an early finish.
Celtic boasted a 13-point lead over Rangers with just a handful of fixtures remaining.
They sat on top with 80 points after 30 matches, with Steven Gerrard’s side on 67 points having played one game fewer – and two Old Firm matches still to play.
And while it was still mathematically possible but unlikely for the Hoops NOT to win the crown, they have been given the title.
The Hoops will now know they have the chance to overtake the landmark achievement of nine-in-a-row when football returns.
The SPFL confirmed the news shortly after midday this afternoon.
In a lengthy statement they passed on their congratulations to Celtic for winning the league, while commiserating Hearts for their relegation to the Championship.
How the Scottish Premiership table looked before the season was axed
It reads: “The SPFL has today announced that, following consultation with all 12 top-flight clubs, the Board of the SPFL has determined that the 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership has been concluded with immediate effect.
“As with the Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League One and Ladbrokes League Two competitions, final season placings have been determined by points per game in league matches played to 13 March 2020 by each club.
“The decision means that Celtic are crowned 2019/20 champions and Hearts have been relegated to the Ladbrokes Championship.”
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan said: “Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to officially congratulate Celtic on their achievement of winning the Ladbrokes Premiership this season, and also to sincerely commiserate with Hearts on their relegation.
“We would all have rather seen the league season played out on pitches, in stadiums and in front of supporters.
“This is not the way anybody involved with Scottish football would have wanted to conclude the league season but, given the grave and unprecedented circumstances that we are facing, the Board has agreed that it is the only practical way forward.
“Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on sporting competitions around the world and the repercussions will be felt for a long time.
“Scottish Government restrictions and deep concerns for both player and spectator safety left the SPFL with no realistic option but to call the Ladbrokes Premiership now and we thank the Premiership clubs for their support on this decision.”
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has another title to his name
Hearts chief Ann Budge has seen her side relegated
A furious Hearts responded with a statement of their own, which included: “We have stated from the outset that we don’t believe it is right that ANY club should be unfairly penalised because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The club has been taking legal advice throughout this process and are continuing to do so.
“We hope that the resolution being prepared will avoid the need to go down this route. Legal action would be both time consuming and expensive.
“However the cost to the club of relegation would outweigh these considerations.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “On Friday, Ladbrokes Premiership clubs expressed their clear and unanimous view that there was no realistic prospect of completing the outstanding fixtures from Season 2019/20.
“The SPFL Board met this morning and in line with the express agreement of member clubs in April, the Board determined that League Season 2019/20 and the Ladbrokes Premiership be brought to an end.
“This decision now enables us to pay out around £7 million in fees to help clubs stay afloat during this incredibly difficult time. We will begin processing these payments immediately.
“The focus of all those involved in the game will now turn to how we get football up and running again safely as soon as possible.
“Next season’s Betfred Cup first round group stage is scheduled to begin in mid-July, with coverage from Premier Sports.
“The 2020/21 League Season in all four of our Divisions is due to commence on 1 August, which coincides with the start of our new and exclusive five-year broadcasting deal with Sky Sports.
“Nobody should be under any illusion as to how complicated and difficult a challenge it will be to return Scottish football to normality.
“We will be liaising with Government on the best way forward and working to ensure that all of our 42 clubs are playing football again as soon as humanly possible.”
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Celtic won nine on the bounce between 1965-1974, with Rangers managing the same feat between 1988-1997.
The ongoing Covid-19 crisis has caused consternation across Europe when it comes to the matter of how leagues should be finished.
Uefa have given all leagues until May 25 to tell them how leagues could be re-started, or else nominate their continental qualifiers for next season.
The groundwork for this decision was laid with the controversial SPFL vote to call the lower leagues on average points won – which also handed the power to the league board to call the Premiership on the same terms.
League bosses also pledged to consult separately with top flight clubs before making the decision.
The Hoops could also go on to achieve an unprecedented quadruple treble if they emerge victorious in the Scottish Cup – whenever that is finally played.
Celtic face Aberdeen in the semi-final with Hearts and Hibs in the other clash – with the SFA determined to play the competition to a finish, even if it takes until 2021.
Watford footballer ace Troy Deeney slams Premier League return as son has breathing problems
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
