Scottish Premiership

IT’S been a long time since Celtic have been linked with the word runners-up.
However, after ten years of domestic dominance, the Hoops are no longer top dogs in Scotland.

Celtic went on a lap of appreciation having lost the title in 2011Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

Rangers have secured title number 55, leaving the Parkhead club in their wake in the Premiership table.
Celtic’s failure to beat Dundee United last week was the final nail in the ten-in-a-row coffin, but the reality is the league had been lost with various other poor performances and results over the course of the 2020/21 campaign.
The Celts had been crowned league winners for nine consecutive years and had swept aside all before them in the League and Scottish Cup before the Light Blues managed to overthrow their stranglehold of Scottish football.
Here, SunSport takes a look back at the last Celtic team that failed to win the top-flight title in Scotland, losing out to Walter Smith’s side in 2011 on the final game of the season.

Fraser Forster

Fraser Forster’s last spell for the Parkhead club came in this seasonCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
The giant played a crucial role at Celtic during all of his spells at Parkhead under Neil Lennon.
Back-to-back loans in Glasgow initially saw the Geordie-born keeper suffer top-flight heartache, as he lost out to Rangers on the final day of the 10/11 campaign when they thumped Kilmarnock 5-1, meaning the Hoops’ 4-0 win over Motherwell was not enough.
But overall, the goalie will be remembered fondly by the green and white faithful, producing various standout performances over the years, with the Barcelona, Lazio and Rangers triumphs the pick of the bunch.
Now found largely playing second fiddle to Alex McCarthy at Southampton.

Lukasz Zaluska
The Pole was signed for Celtic from Dundee United in 2009.
He never nailed down the No1 spot in Glasgow, with the keeper only managing 28 appearances over his six years at the club.
He featured nine times during the 10/11 campaign, mainly playing back-up to Forster. The 38-year-old’s now without a club after leaving Miedz Legnica in 2020.
Cha Du-Ri
The right back was signed in 2010 and made 20 appearances that season, scoring one goal.
Signed with big expectations, the South Korean international failed to live up to the hype and was kept out the side by Mark Wilson. Left in 2012 and retired from football in 2015.
Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson notched a famous derby goal in the 2011 Scottish CupCredit: Reuters
Wilson had his most productive campaign in the Hoops during the 10/11 campaign, making 25 league appearances at right-back.
Notching twice in the league, his famous moment of that season is one that is often forgotten despite being a WINNER against Rangers in the Scottish Cup.
His big moment in the fifth-round replay was overshadowed by three red cards for Gers as well as a short-lived but infamous spat on the touchline between Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist.
Wilson would leave Parkhead the following season having made only a handful of appearances.
After unsuccessful stints in the dugout with Airdrieonians and most recently Brechin City, Clyde Superscoreboard favourite Wilson now hosts his own YouTube show, The Celtic Huddle podcast.
Efrain Juarez
Juarez became the first Mexican to play in the SPL after joining from Pumas for big-money and on a four-year deal.
He arrived with a big reputation after playing for Mexico in the 2010 World Cup, being replaced by Javier Hernandez in the famous win over France.
Juarez scored in his first game at Celtic Park against Braga in the Champions League, before scoring in the Europa League qualifier a fortnight llater.
Juarez was banned from international football along with Carlos Vela for a party they held on international debut, before falling out of favour at Celtic and leaving the following summer.
Currently assistant to ex-Celtic boss Ronny Deila at New York City.
Daniel Majstorovic
The Swede was a stalwart in the Hoops defence during the season, making 32 league appearances in the 10/11 season – scoring once.
Majstorovic took the armband from Scott Brown when he went off injured and then captained the side in Broony’s absence.
His Celts career was unfortunately cut short the following season after a fractured cheekbone kept him out for two months before a collision with Zlatan Ibrahimović in Sweden training ruptured his cruciate ligament.
Jos Hooiveld

Jos Hooiveld retired from football in 2018Credit: PA:Press Association
Hooiveld was another to arrive for big money, joining Tony Mowbray’s Celtic in January 2010.
He made his debut later in the month before picking up a thigh injury in his next game which kept him out the rest of that season.
He started the 2010/11 season as the first-choice centre-back but couldn’t cement a partnership and fell way down the pecking order before being shipped out on loan to Copenhagen for the second-half of the season.
Hooiveld left for Southampton the following season and retired from football in 2018 after a spell at USA side Orange County.
Charlie Mulgrew
Mulgrew showed his immense versatility when he became Neil Lennon’s first signing in the summer of 2010.
The fans’ favourite started a game with Rangers on the left wing, before deputising for Majstorovic at centre back later that month.
This was the first of six successful seasons for Mulgrew at the Hoops, netting 28 times in 207 appearances.
Mulgrew is on loan at League One outfit Fleetwood Town from Blackburn Rovers.
Glen Loovens
The Dutch centre-half rejected Rangers in favour of a move to the green side of Glasgow in 2008.
The 2010/11 season proved difficult for Loovens as his own goal against Rangers was the catalyst for a Gers comeback and 3-1 defeat.
He scored once in his 21 appearances that year and joined Real Zaragoza at the end of the following campaign after falling out of favour.
He left Sunderland in 2019 after serving just one of his two-year contract.
Thomas Rogne

Thomas Rogne is now found playing in PolandCredit: PA:Press Association
Rogne’s time in Glasgow was blighted by injury but he was a regular when fit.
He was sent off in just the second game of the 10/11 season which Celtic went on to win 9-0 against Aberdeen.
One of his sixteen league games that season was an excellent performance at Ibrox in Celtic’s 2-0 win at New Year.
He currently plays for Lech Poznan after spells at Wigan and IFK Goteborg.
Emilio Izaguirre
Signing for around £650,000, the Honduran had an instant impact and wonderful first season in Scotland.
The left-back made 42 appearances in all competitions that season, scoring once in a 3-0 win against St Johnstone.
Izaguirre would clean up the end of season awards, claiming the SPFA Players’ Player of the Year, Football Writers’ Player of the Year and SPL Player of the Year, along with the club’s fans Player of the Year.
That season was the first of seven the first time around before he returned for a short spell in 2018/19.
He racked up five goals and 273 appearances in the Hoops and now plays with Marathon in his native Honduras.
Lewis Toshney
Toshney made his only Celtic appearance when coming on for Scott Brown as a substitute in February 2011.
He would have spells at Kilmarnock and Dundee before leaving for Raith Rovers in 2014 and is currently at Inverness.
Richie Towell
The midfielder also only made one Celts appearance which was during the 2010/11 season.
Coming on in the 57th minute as a sub, Towell set up Paddy McCourt for a goal in a 2-2 draw with Inverness.
Towell currently plays for Salford City – owned by the Manchester United Class of 92 boys – and played in the penalty shoot-out win over Portsmouth in the Papa Johns trophy final at Wembley over the weekend.
Scott Brown

Scott Brown produced a famous celebration against Rangers that yearCredit: AFP
A man that needs no introduction, Brown was confirmed the Celtic captain in the 2010/11 season after Neil Lennon said the midfielder was a ‘big part of the reason he was kept on.’
Brown missed the best part of two months after a stress reaction on his metatarsal on international duty and a sending off on his second game back meant he missed the new year Old Firm game.
During the Scottish Cup that season, Brown picked up the ‘best yellow card of his life’ when booked for celebrating ‘the Broony’ in front of El Hadji Diouf.
A nine-in-a-row, quadruple Treble-winning icon, Brown is in his 14th season at Celtic but could soon join ex-teammate Stephen Glass at Aberdeen.
Niall McGinn
McGinn scored twice in 14 league appearances in 2009/10, before mirroring those exact stats in the 10/11 season.
The Northern Irishman started the season on the fringes before scoring twice in his first league start after 70 seconds.
He would later play cameo roles throughout the remainder of the campaign before being shipped out to Brentford.
McGinn – who had a spell in South Korea – is currently in his ninth season at Aberdeen.
Freddie Ljungberg

Freddie Ljungberg spent a short period in Glasow with CelticCredit: Scottish News and Sport
Arsenal legend Ljungberg joined Celtic after a week-long trial in December 2010.
His debut came in the Scottish Cup at Berwick Rangers before making seven appearances in the league.
The Swede now works under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta in the coaching staff.
Kris Commons
Commons joined in the January window of 2011, despite interest from Rangers.
He made a stunning start to life at Celtic Park, scoring 11 times in the 14 appearances he made during those first few months – including a goal the day after he signed.
Commons would go on to score 91 goals in 227 Hoops appearances across six seasons.
After a season at Hibs, Commons had to retire due to a back operation that he couldn’t recover from.
Olivier Kapo
The Frenchman’s time at Celtic Park was brief to say the least.
On his arrival, he suggested he had turned down more money from elsewhere to sign with Celtic in November 2010, before leaving TWO MONTHS later when Hoops released him from his contract.
Spells at Al Ahli and Levadiakos followed before retiring after a spell at Polish side Korona.
Joe Ledley

Joe Ledley scored one of his Celtic goals against Kilmarnock in 2012Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Another favourite within the Celtic faithful, Ledley had interest from English Premier League sides and Roma before joining Celts at the start of the 2010/11 season.
He scored six times in 41 appearances in all competitions in his first year – two in 29 in the league.
After a brief spell at Newcastle Jets in Australia, Ledley remains a free agent and has been training with Bristol Rovers.
Marc Crosas
Having played a bit part role in the two previous seasons, Crosas started the 2010/11 season out of favour under Lennon.
He made just one appearance in the league that season before being shipped out in February 2011 to FC Volga of Russia.
The Spaniard retired in 2018 at the age of 30 after a spell in Mexico.
Ki Sung-Yueng

Ki Sung-Yueng helped secured the Scottish Cup in 2011Credit: PA:Press Association
Ki scored three times in 26 league outings for Celtic in the 10/11 year where he was one of the mainstays in the side.
He won the Young Player of the Month in October but missed most of January as he turned out for South Korea in the Asian Cup.
Currently plays in his homeland with first club FC Seoul.
Paddy McCourt
We’ve used fan favourite a few times already but this guy definitely was a cult hero.
McCourt scored the only goal in the opening day win of the 2010/11 season and the club’s 600th home SPL goal later in the campaign – both with a synonymous jinking run and finish.
This season was his most profitable, scoring seven in 25 league showings.
But even that wasn’t enough to stop Rangers from lifting the title. Now technical director at Derry City.
Beram Kayal
Arriving for a reported seven-figure amount in the summer of 2010, Kayal won man of the match in his first Hoops game.
He missed three months after a hernia operation before coming back to win Player of the Month in January and captained Celtic later in the season.
He scored twice in 21 league games that season and currently plays for Bnei Sakhnin in his native Israel after several years with Brighton.
James Forrest

Beram Kayal and James Forrest after an Old Firm derby winCredit: SNS Group
Forrest started this season with a Young Player of the Month award for August in what would be his breakthrough year.
He scored three times in 19 outings in the SPL and made his first Old Firm appearance in the New Year win at Ibrox.
Currently on the road to recovery after an ankle injury and made a cameo appearance from the bench against Dundee United a week ago – his first since September.
This is his 11th season in the first=team.
Georgios Samaras
The big Greek striker scored both goals in the January Old Firm victory and had a pivotal role in the 3-0 win over Rangers in February too.
He scored seven times in total in all competitions but is remembered for much more than just his goals.
Retired in 2018 after a spell at Samsunspor in Turkey and is now the Vice President of OFS Crete in Greece.
Anthony Stokes

Anthony Stokes is currently without a clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Stokes made a great, instant impression when joining from Hibs in time for the 2010/11 season, netting 14 times in the league.
He would go on to score 76 goals in 191 appearances for Celtic across five seasons, and like many others in this crop of players, becoming somewhat of a fans’ favourite.
Stokes signed for Livingston at the start of this current season before leaving the club a few weeks later and remains a free agent.
Marc-Antoine Fortune
The Frenchman arrived at Celtic in 2009 with a big price tag and netted 10 times in 30 league games.
But the 2010/11 campaign, he appeared twice for Celtic before being sold back to previous club West Brom as Neil Lennon did not want him as part of his plans.
Fortune left Chesterfield in 2019 and is involved in the Art industry now and says his experience in collecting has allowed him to introduce other players into the art world.

Gary Hooper

Gary Hooper was a Celtic starCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Signing in July of 2010, Hooper missed the start of the season after a calf muscle in a pre-season friendly.
But he would go on to have a clinical campaign, scoring 20 times in 26 league games for Celtic.
He finished at Celtic with 82 goals in 138 games across three seasons and earned a big money move to Norwich in the EPL.
The 33-year old currently plays for Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League.
Shaun Maloney
Maloney was handed a brief spell as captain in Brown’s absence in the 10/11 campaign.
Having started the season superbly, the attacker missed five months after surgery on an ankle injury.
He scored 52 goals in 215 appearances across two spells and has been linked with the vacant Hoops manager hotseat.
Maloney currently works as a coach for the Belgium National Team.
Daryl Murphy
Murphy only managed three goals in 18 league games during his debut season.
He would feature only twice in the two seasons that followed before he left for Ipswich Town.
The 37-year-old is still playing and plays for Waterford in the League of Ireland.
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MICAH RICHARDS joked that he has his bags packed for a move to Glasgow to become Roy Keane’s assistant should he get the Celtic job.
The gregarious pundit and Keane have struck up an unlikely bromance in their time together as pundits for Sky Sports.

Credit: @micahrichards

Keane has not managed a team of his own since his spell with Ipswich Town ended in 2011

Credit: Twitter

This led to a recent exchange where Richards and Graeme Souness had a laugh at Keane’s expense over him not being able to get back in the management game in recent years.
Keane then quipped that Richards could be his assistant at his next club, before then demoting him to kitman as he thought out loud.
Speculation is mounting that Keane could have his route back into football with the vacancy at Celtic seeming an ideal landing spot for him.
The Cork native finished his playing career there and has a strong affinity with the club so it’s no surprise that he’s keen on replacing Neil Lennon.

That led to Richards today responding in jest to a report on how the Ireland legend has his sights set on a return to Parkhead – which SunSport exclusively revealed last week.
He said: “I’ve just packed my bags!!! Scotland here we come!”
Keane, 49, was offered the Celtic job before and declined, but he would say yes this time — and that might fit with their requirements.

Richards and Keane have struck a rapport this seasonCredit: Getty
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Senior club chiefs want to keep the existing coaching staff and put a ‘figurehead’ in charge.
Keane does not have a backroom team that he uses, so that would be ideal.
The Scottish giants are also believed to be considering other candidates such as Eddie Howe, David Moyes and Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
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ALFREDO MORELOS has revealed he had a heart-to-heart meeting with Steven Gerrard after his hopes of a big money move died.
The chat ultimately left Morelos determined to focus on helping Rangers romp to the title.

Alfredo Morelos is targeting a summer move from Rangers to the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP or licensors

But the Colombian hitman, 24, insists he is still desperate for his dream move to the Premier League.
Morelos has been linked with a move from Rangers almost since he arrived in Glasgow three-and-a-half years ago – with Liverpool claimed to be ‘aware’ of his talents last year.
He’s scored an impressive 93 goals for the Scottish Premiership champions in 148 starts in all competitions since joining.
Morelos has grabbed five goals in his last seven games for Rangers and is now desperate to help them reach the next round of the Europa League, with interest in him sure to increase further.

The in-demand striker said: “There were many difficulties with Rangers about my departure because proposals came in and the club asked for more money.
“Then the transfer market closed and I spoke with the manager and said that I was going to focus on the team.
“The situation got back to normal and I started to raise the level of my game.

Morelos has never hidden his desire to play in a major European leagueCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

“There are opportunities now for me because I have won the league in Scotland and we are still in the Europa League.

“If we get through to the next round, we will have the opportunity to play against some very big teams and they will be watching me.
“One of my big dreams is to play in the English Premier League.
“It is one of the best leagues in the world and there are a lot of important players and important teams.
“So if the opportunity presents itself in my career, I am going to take it.
“It’s a style of football very similar to Scottish football and I would enjoy it.”
And Morelos, in an interview in Colombia’s Caracol Radio, credits Gerrard for turning his career around.

Steven Morelos has credited Steven Gerrard with turning his career aroundCredit: PA:Press Association
He said: “Steven Gerrard has been a hugely important person in my career.
“He has corrected me in many aspects of my game including helping me reduce the number of yellow and red cards I was getting.
“He’s helped improve my character too.
“My football has improved so much since when I was at Medellin back home.
“When the first offer came, I decided I was taking it and didn’t care that it was in Finland with HJK Helsinki.
“After making that decision, I have scored a lot of goals and even been rewarded by playing for my country.”

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RANGERS boss Steven Gerrard has pleaded with fans to stay away from next weekend’s derby showdown with Celtic.
His heartfelt appeal to the club’s supporters followed the lockdown-flouting mayhem that greeted the club’s first Scottish Premiership title triumph in a decade.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has urged fans to stay away from next week’s derby vs CelticCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Rangers fans erupted in a sea of celebrations across Glasgow in a clear breach of lockdown restrictionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Warning against further mass gatherings at Celtic Park on Sunday, Gerrard said in a letter: “The best place you can support me and my players is from the comfort of your own home.”
The former Liverpool captain also told of his pain at not getting to lead champions Rangers out at a packed Parkhead.
The Ibrox gaffer said his players and backroom staff were ‘hurting’ at the ongoing fans shutout following their first title win in ten years.
But he called on jubilant fans to respect those killed by Covid in the last year and stay at home during next Sunday’s Old Firm derby with Celtic.

It followed warnings the clash could be axed over safety fears after thousands of supporters flouted lockdown rules to celebrate at Ibrox and Glasgow’s George Square last weekend.
In a written appeal, Gerrard said fans ‘must take collective resp­onsibility to ensure we uphold the good name of this 150-year institution’.
He added: “Do I want 50,000 fans inside Ibrox? 100 per cent yes.
“The players would want nothing more than to hear the fans sing and support us in the ground and hear you behind every pass, every tackle, and lose themselves in utter euphoria when the ball hits the net.

Gerrard has pleaded with fans to stay home for the upcoming derbyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“Sadly, however, you can’t be there with us. You can’t follow us to Parkhead as champions – and the first time we can say we are champions in a decade.
“That hurts me, it hurts my management team and it hurts my players.
“Make no doubt about it, we want you there with us, but sadly, right now, you can’t be.
“We know you are with us here in spirit and we know how much last weekend meant to you when we secured the title.
“We know all of you enjoyed it, but we must stay safe, and stay at home.”
Gerrard’s plea was echoed by skipper James Tavernier.
The right-back said in a video message: “I want to highlight how important it is for you all to stay at home this weekend. Please don’t gather in crowds.
“We want nothing more than to have you with us. But the best place to support us is from home. Stay safe.”

Rangers fans turned up in their thousands to celebrate a first title win in a decadeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney last week accused Gers of a ‘lack of leadership’ and not doing enough to prevent the fan chaos.
Police also condemned the shameful scenes that ended in 28 arrests.
It led to crisis talks over postponing the derby amid concerns of similar scenes and violence.
We told how a ring of steel has been built at Celtic Park.
A final decision is due within 48 hours.
Justice Secretary Hum­za Yousaf called on the clubs to send ‘unequivocal messages’ for fans to stay away.

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STEPHEN GLASS will bring in Celtic skipper Scott Brown as his No 2 if he lands the Aberdeen job.
SunSport can reveal the Hoops legend is the man Glass wants to be one of TWO high-profile backroom men at Pittodrie.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown could make a sensational move to Aberdeen as player-assistantCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

As well as veteran Brown, whose contract at Celtic Park ends this summer, the 44-year-old will take England strikers’ coach Allan Russell with him.
Glass is front-runner for the job after Derek McInnes’ exit and is keen to move to Pittodrie from Atlanta United’s reserve team.
A deal to bring him back to the Dons has not yet been finalised, but it’s understood he is Aberdeen’s preferred candidate.
Glass is good friends with Brown, 35, from their time together at Hibernian and wants him by his side in his first foray into first-team management.

For the Hoops skipper, the opportunity to move into coaching at Premiership level, while also still playing, would likely prove too good to turn down.
With his deal up in the summer and big changes set to come over the next few months after the departures of Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell, a new era will be ushered in at Celtic Park.
Brown is ready to move on and begin his own journey in coaching alongside Glass after spending 14 years at Celts.

Celtic star Brown played with Stephen Glass at HibsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

England coach Allan Russell, left, is a key member of Gareth Southgate’s backroom staffCredit: PA:Press Association
Securing Brown as his player/coach would be a massive coup for Glass, as would persuading the highly-rated Russell to come back to Scottish football.

The 40-year-old is a key man in Gareth Southgate’s England set-up and will be involved in the clash with Steve Clarke’s Scotland at the Euros.
Russell coaches Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane when they are away with the international squad and has been credited with helping improve their performances.
Glass played alongside the former Hamilton, St Mirren and Kilmarnock striker at USL club Carolina Railhawks.
If he joins Glass at Aberdeen, he will stay on as part of Southgate’s support team during international weeks.

Dons chairman Dave Cormack and Atlanta supremo Darren Eales, who also sits on the board at Pittodrie, will make the final decision on the identity of their new boss in the coming weeks.
Paul Sheerin and Barry Robson have been put in temporary charge.
Sheerin admits McInnes’ exit stunned them.
He said: “It has been a subdued week at Cormack Park. I am gutted.”
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