Season review 2003/04

This was Celtic's season. They won the title by a margin of 18 points, scored more than 100 league goals and racked up an incredible 25-game winning sequence in the SPL.

Rangers struggled to cope with the loss of Barry Ferguson, Lorenzo Amoruso, Arthur Numan and Claudio Caniggia, finishing runners up in the race for the title.

Hearts once again established themselves in third place, while another success story was that of Livingston who rounded off an excellent season after winning the CIS Cup despite their financial problems off the park. 

Dunfermline were also impressive. Jimmy Calderwood brought together Scottish Internationals Steve Crawford and Barry Nicholson and combined their talents with veteran Craig Brewster.  It was a hugely successful combination and Dunfermline, finished fourth, their highest ever league position in the SPL.

They capped of a magnificent season with a Scottish Cup Final appearance against Celtic who ran out eventual winners.

Off the park the SPL announced plans to put in place a new range of broadcasting and commercial deals that would provide income of around £60m over the next four years. The title sponsor, the Bank of Scotland, also extended their sponsorship for a further three seasons.

The benefits of a successful youth initiative were once again emphasised when Motherwell, with a number of young players in their squad, managed a top six finish.

Stephen Pearson was just one of several young players who made their mark during the 2003-04 season. Chris Burke, Zander Diamond, Derek Riordan and Craig Gordon all became regulars in their respective first teams. 

Their rapid rise to the first team may in part be due to the financial restrictions that the current climate places on clubs but it is testament to the work of the clubs involved in the SPL Youth Initiative that such talented youngsters are available to make the step up.

Awards:
Bank of Scotland Premierleague Champions: Celtic
Tennent's Scottish Cup Winner: Celtic
CIS Insurance Cup Winner: Livingston
SPFA Player of the Year: Chris Sutton
SPFA Young Player of the Year: Stephen Pearson
SFWA Player of the Year: Jackie McNamara

Qualification for Europe:
Celtic
Rangers
Dunfermline
Hearts