Season review 2004/05

The battle for the Bank of Scotland Premierleague Championship went down to the last day of the season, in fact the last minute!

Celtic went into the last game of the season knowing that a win would ensure they regained the SPL title. Motherwell, however, spoiled the party with two goals in the remaining minutes from Scott McDonald to give Motherwell a 2-1 win. The defeat allowed Rangers to snatch the title after they defeated a spirited Hibernian team at Easter Road, 1-0.

It was an enthralling twist in the championship that left all fans breathless. However, the excitement was not only reserved for the top of the table.

Fans witnessed the benefits that the league split can bring with a battle at the top, middle and bottom of the table.

The fight against relegation also went down to the last day of the season, and was the closest run-in ever witnessed in SPL history.

Dundee, Livingston, Dunfermline and Dundee United were all in danger of relegation but it was Jim Duffy's Dundee side that dropped to the First Division following their defeat by Livingston in their last game of the season. 

Hibernian, under the guidance of Tony Mowbray, received praise from fans and pundits alike. Their flair and tenacity left them with many admirers after they finished third in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague which entitled them to a UEFA Cup place.

After the disappointments of previous campaigns, the Dons narrowly missed out on a UEFA Cup spot.  The Aberdeen faithful, however, were delighted at the progress made in one season and look to the future with great hope. Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nichol once again illustrated their ability as a management pairing.

The 2004-05 season had many success stories and none more so than Inverness Caledonian Thistle.  Craig Brewster almost lead Inverness Caledonian Thistle to a top six finish and they cemented their SPL status with a series of impressive results.

Off the park the SPL announced that the minimum seating requrement at SPL grounds would be reduced from 10,000 seats to 6,000.  This allowed Inverness CT to return to their stadium after previously ground sharing with Aberdeen.

Awards:
Bank of Scotland Premierleague Champions: Rangers
Tennent's Scottish Cup Winners: Celtic
CIS Insurance Cup Winners: Rangers
SPFA Player of the Year: Fernando Ricksen and John Hartson
SPFA Young Player of the Year: Derek Riordan
SFWA Player of the Year: John Hartson

Qualification for Europe:
Rangers
Celtic
Hibernian
Dundee United