Evidence that the Scottish Premier League is more exciting that people would have you believe:

The SPL is a widely derided league.  Perceived as a two horse race and lacking in quality, Scottish football has conjured up its fair share of magic, and in the last decade the SPL title has been decided on the last day a remarkable 5 times.

2002/03:  Rangers and Celtic are level on 94 points after 37 games, with the same goal difference (+68).

For Celtic, it was the last chance to win some silverware in a season that had seen them reach the UEFA Cup final, losing 3-2 to Jose Mourinho’s Porto.  Rangers were looking for a domestic treble, with the League Cup already won, and the Scottish Cup final a week later.

Rangers faced Dunfermline at home, and Celtic faced Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.  Rangers took an early lead, but were stunned when Dunfermline equalized.  In the 16^th minute, both teams took the lead.  A Claudio Cannigia strike gave Rangers a lead they would never lose, and Chris Sutton opened the scoring for Celtic.  In dominant performances, Rangers won 6-1 while Celtic won 4-0.  Both teams finished on 97 points, but Rangers had a superior goal difference and claimed the title.

2004/05: If the 2002/03 season had been dramatic, the 04/05 campaign cranked it up a notch.

A 2-1 win at Ibrox put Celtic 5 points clear at the top of the SPL with four games remaining.  Rangers then won their next three games, while Celtic dropped points at home to Hibs before winning their next two games, leaving themselves two points clear on the final day.  Celtic travelled to Fir Park to face Motherwell, knowing that a win would seal the championship.  Rangers had a superior goal difference, but faced 3^rd placed Hibs in Edinburgh.  By the time Nacho Novo gave Rangers a 1-0 lead, Celtic were already ahead against Motherwell and seemingly ready to retain the title.  Then, in a stunning turnaround, Motherwell striker Scott McDonald scored twice in the last 3 minutes of the game to snatch the title away from Celtic and hand it to Rangers, prompting a radio commentator to announce that ‘The Helicopter (carrying the SPL trophy) is changing direction!’

2007/08: The 07/08 season was controversial.

An unexpected series of events (including Rangers reaching the UEFA Cup final and the death of Motherwell’s Phil O’Donnell) meant that the SPL season ended on a Thursday, with Rangers playing four games in 8 days.  The teams were level on points, but Celtic had a superior goal difference.  A tired Rangers team slumped to a 2-0 defeat, while Celtic won 1-0 to clinch the third of three consecutive SPL titles.

2008/09: The two clubs yet again found themselves in a final day showdown.

Celtic faced Hearts at home, while Rangers travelled to Tannadice to face Dundee Utd.  Rangers were two points clear as the games kicked off, and stretched that lead to 4 when an early Kyle Lafferty strike put them ahead.  Pedro Mendes added a second before half-time, and Rangers added a third early in the second half to kill the game.  Celtic meanwhile could only draw 0-0 at home to Hearts, allowing Rangers to clinch back-to-back titles.

2010/11: The fifth head-to-head showdown in nine years.

After a 0-0 draw at Ibrox, Celtic found themselves a point behind Rangers, but with a game in hand.  After convincingly beating Dundee Utd, Celtic faced Inverness in a rescheduled match.  But a spirited Inverness performance stunned Celtic and the hosts won 3-2.  Celtic recovered to win their next two games, but went into the final match needing Rangers to lose to regain the SPL title.  Celtic faced Motherwell at home, while Rangers travelled to Kilmarnock.  Celtic took the lead in the 29^th minute and went on to win comfortably 4-0, but it was in vain, as a stunning start from Rangers had given them a 3-0 lead after just 7 minutes at Rugby Park.  Rangers cruised to a 5-1 victory, and their third SPL title in a row.

So while the SPL might be a two horse race, one thing it can never be accused of is being predictable.  And who would be surprised if it comes down to game number 38 again next season?

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