On This Day: Celtic seal the title for Tommy Burns in dramatic fashion | OneFootball

On This Day in 2008, Gordon Strachan’s Celtic side travelled to face Dundee United at Tannadice knowing that by matching Rangers’ result, they would seal another league title. After defeats to Rangers at the end of March and then Motherwell at the start of April, the league title appeared to be over. However, six wins in a row, including two over Rangers, pulled Celtic back into contention for the league title.

Rangers were 4 points behind with two games in hand. Although Walter Smith’s side lost the initiative at Fir Park the week before drawing 1-1, they won days later at Love Street to draw level on points with Celtic. Albeit, the holders had a superior goal difference.

Celtic were rocked by the death of legend Tommy Burns during the run in, the club vowed to win the league for Tommy. It was to the ground that Burns scored to help Celtic win the league in 1981, Tannadice.

Strachan’s team trained at Celtic Park the day before the head up to the city of discovery and one lucky supporter managed to grab a few photos of the final preparations. @hargi_ on Twitter shared the photos as Celtic replayed the game on Youtube.

Rangers were on their way to Pittodrie knowing that Celtic held the advantage over them. With the games taking place simultaneously on a Thursday night, there was a huge amount of nerves in the Celtic end (and those that smuggled themselves into the United end).

A laboured first half with both sides creating chances heightened the drama but news filtered through after the hour mark that Aberdeen had taken the lead at Pittodrie sparking scenes of jubilation in the stands.

The place erupted nine minutes later when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink rose to meet a Paul Hartley corner and all-but confirm the league title for Celtic.

Five minutes later, Darren Mackie made it 2-0 in Aberdeen sending Tannadice into an ecstasy of celebration. After heartbreak on the final day in 2003 and 2005, Celtic had inflicted some last day pain on Rangers whilst enjoying their league success.

They said they would do it for Tommy Burns and they duly delivered.

Here are the highlights of the game:

Here is the full 90 minutes of the game as well as celebrations at full time.

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