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Friday 13th May 2011

Last-day deciders

For the fifth time in nine seasons, the race for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title has gone down to the final weekend. We look back at the four previous dramatic last-day deciders

For the fifth time in nine seasons, the race for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title has gone down to the final weekend. We look back at the four previous dramatic last-day deciders:

2002/03 - RANGERS

Celtic and Rangers went into the final day level on 94 points and with an identical goal difference. On an amazing afternoon, Rangers thrashed Dunfermline 6-1 at Ibrox and Celtic swept aside Kilmarnock 4-0 at Rugby Park. Alex McLeish's men took the trophy by a single goal, although they would have won it on goals scored even if Mikel Arteta had missed his last-gasp penalty. Martin O'Neill's team had reached the UEFA Cup final but ended an incredible season without silverware.

2004/05 - RANGERS
The original Helicopter Sunday. Celtic enjoyed a two-point cushion as they travelled to Motherwell while Rangers, who had a better goal difference, headed to Easter Road more in hope than expectation. When Chris Sutton fired Celtic in front against Motherwell, Nacho Novo's goal for Rangers against Hibernian looked as if it would count for nothing. But in the most dramatic of finishes, Scott McDonald equalised with just a few minutes remaining to send the helicopter towards the capital and pounced again in stoppage time to seal an unlikely home win.

2007/08 - CELTIC
A Thursday night finish to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season and again the helicopter was at the ready as the Old Firm travelled north. Both teams were tied on 86 points as Celtic went to Tannadice and Rangers journeyed to Pittodrie but Gordon Strachan's team had the superior goal difference. At half-time it was goalless in both games and the destiny of the trophy hung in the balance. But things went Celtic's way after the interval - Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink earned them a 1-0 win over Dundee United as UEFA Cup runners-up Rangers lost 2-0 in Aberdeen.

2008/09 - RANGERS
Two points separated the Old Firm rivals on the last Sunday of the season, with Rangers in pole position as they travelled to Tannadice. Celtic had to beat Hearts at home and hope Dundee United could upset Walter Smith's team. In the event, Rangers cruised to a 3-0 victory on Tayside thanks to goals from Kyle Lafferty, Pedro Mendes and Kris Boyd and it finished goalless at Parkhead as Gordon Strachan was denied a fourth title as Celtic manager.

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