Celtic emerges Scottish Premiership champions

Following a unanimous decision reached on Monday 18th May, 2020, at a meeting held with top-flight clubs, the Scottish Professional Football League has announced Celtic as the Scottish Premiership champions for a ninth successive time.

This decision came as there was no prospect of completing the 2019/2020 season due to coronavirus.

While Celtic has been crowned Scottish Premiership champions with Celtic 13 points clear of Glasgow rivals Rangers, Hearts have been relegated with four points adrift of second bottom Hamilton.

Murdoch MacLennan, SPFL chairman said, “Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to officially congratulate Celtic on their achievement of winning the Ladbrokes Premiership this season, and also to sincerely commiserate with Hearts on their relegation.”

“We would all have rather seen the league season played out on pitches, in stadiums and in front of supporters.

“This is not the way anybody involved with Scottish football would have wanted to conclude the league season but, given the grave and unprecedented circumstances that we are facing, the board has agreed that it is the only practical way forward” MacLennan continued.

Speaking of how the League has been faced with a tough decision to make regarding completion of the season, MacLennan remarked that coronavirus had wrecked great havoc that the only way out is to call off the season.

“Scottish Government restrictions and deep concerns for both player and spectator safety left the SPFL with no realistic option but to call the Ladbrokes Premiership now and we thank the Premiership clubs for their support on this decision,” he said.

SPFL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, also spoke about the League’s decision saying it was all based on agreement between all member clubs that the season be brought to an end.

“On Friday, Ladbrokes Premiership clubs expressed their clear and unanimous view that there was no realistic prospect of completing the outstanding fixtures from Season 2019/20.

“The SPFL Board met this morning and in line with the express agreement of member clubs in April, the board determined that League Season 2019/20 and the Ladbrokes Premiership be brought to an end,” he said.

Doncaster further said that the decision to end the season would enable the League to pay clubs about £7million to help them stay afloat in this difficult time.

He also noted that what should be the focus of everyone connected with League and member clubs is how to get football back safe and to normalcy soon.

“The focus of all those involved in the game will now turn to how we get football up and running again safely as soon as possible.

“Nobody should be under any illusion as to how complicated and difficult a challenge it will be to return Scottish football to normality.

“We will be liaising with Government on the best way forward and working to ensure that all of our 42 clubs are playing football again as soon as humanly possible,” added.

Peter Lawwell, Celtic chief executive in a tweet expressed appreciations to everyone who has supported the club and has been part of their success.

“We dedicate this title to everyone who has cared for us and all those who have been affected by these times of challenge and difficulty.

“Thank you for your wonderful support, Celts!.” He tweeted.