Season review 2007/08

For the third time in six seasons, the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race came down to a thrilling last-day decider.

It was a captivating campaign, full of twists and turns, but it was also one laced with tragedy. Scottish football lost two great talents and two great men. On December 29, Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell died after collapsing during a match with Dundee United then on May 15 came the devastating news that Celtic coach Tommy Burns had lost his battle with cancer.

The tributes paid to both showed the respect they commanded within the game and  Celtic dedicated their title triumph to Burns. In a season extended to Thursday, May 22 Gordon Strachan’s side went into their match at Dundee United level on points with Rangers but ahead on goal difference.

Walter Smith took his team to Pittodrie and there were no goals there or at Tannadice as the half-time whistle sounded. The championship race was in the balance but it swung in Celtic’s favour after the interval. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s goal earned them a 1-0 win as Rangers slipped to a 2-0 defeat.

The helicopter made its way to Tannadice as Celtic won the Clydesdale Bank Premier League for the third time in a row – the first time since the Jock Stein era that they had achieved the feat. The goals of SPL top scorer Scott McDonald – 25 in the league – certainly helped as Strachan’s men held on to their crown.

Such a scenario looked unlikely early in April after a home defeat to Motherwell but Celtic won their last seven matches, including two against Rangers.

The Ibrox club might have failed in their title bid but it was a remarkable season for Smith and his squad. Having narrowly failed to reach the last 16 of the Champions League they made the most of their UEFA Cup entry, knocking out the likes of Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina to reach the final.

It was a magnificent achievement and Rangers fans travelled to Manchester in their tens of thousands. Zenit St Petersburg denied them glory in the decider with a 2-0 win but this was an adventure that will never be forgotten.

Rangers also prospered in the domestic cup competitions, securing the CIS version on  penalties after a 2-2 draw with Dundee United while Queen of the South were edged out 3-2 in the Scottish Cup showpiece in game 68 of a gruelling campaign.

It was also a season to remember for Motherwell, who finished third in the SPL for the first time in their history and were rewarded with a place in the UEFA Cup. Mark McGhee’s men played an exciting brand of football and held off challenges from Dundee United, Hibernian and Aberdeen to finish behind the Old Firm.

United enjoyed their best ever SPL season under the impressive stewardship of Craig Levein but eventually had to settle for fifth place while Aberdeen’s late surge saw them jump into fourth spot. It was a campaign of ups and downs for Jimmy Calderwood’s men but one of the highlights was undoubtedly the club’s UEFA Cup run, which saw them thump Copenhagen to set up a meeting with Bayern Munich.

Hibernian started the season superbly under John Collins but their form dipped. It was still a major surprise when John Collins left the club just before Christmas but his replacement Mixu Paatelainen ensured a top-six finish.

John Hughes’ Falkirk almost made the cut but instead finished seventh for the second year running after losing a crucial match 2-1 at Aberdeen just before the split. A place behind them were Hearts, who landed up in the bottom six for the first time.

Inverness CT, St Mirren and Kilmarnock all had their moments despite finishing towards the foot of the table. Inverness started slowly but Craig Brewster dragged them away from danger. Kilmarnock’s began well but were hit by injuries and the loss of Steven Naismith to Rangers and a third successive top-six finish was beyond them.

Gretna’s rise through the divisions came to a sad end when they were docked 10 points for entering into administration. Hamilton Academical will take their place when season 2008/09 begins on August 9.

Awards:
Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions: Celtic
Scottish Cup winners: Rangers
CIS Cup winners: Rangers
SPFA Player of the Year: Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
SPFA Young Player of Year: Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
SFWA Player of the Year: Carlos Cuellar (Rangers)
SFWA Young Player of Year: Steven Fletcher (Hibernian)

Qualification for Europe:
Celtic (Champions League)
Rangers (Champions League)
Motherwell (UEFA Cup)
Queen of the South (UEFA Cup)
Hibernian (Intertoto Cup)