6 Celtic games that won the title as Rangers derby dominance and Fir Park comeback prove key

Celtic were crowned Scottish Premiership champions once again with a five-star display at Kilmarnock.

Brendan Rodgers' men had their share of twists and turns and ups and downs on their quest for league glory and after finding top form at the perfect time, Callum McGregor and Co will get their hands on the trophy once again this weekend. The party got started last night at Rugby Park and continued into the night with a final home game against St Mirren to come. Focus will then turn to the Scottish Cup Final next weekend against Rangers in the quest for a double.

It's been quite the season for the champions and Record Sport have pinpointed SIX games that played a key role in the Hoops ending up as the top side in Scotland once again. A lot of punters believe it is always the derby showdowns that will define the destiny of the title. But as Celtic proved this year, it was also games elsewhere that sparked and kept the title in the Parkhead trophy room.

3/9/23 - Rangers 0 Celtic 1

Celtic came in under pressure after dropping points to St Johnstone. It was the first Old Firm derby of the season and a chance to see what Rangers boss Michael Beale had built across the city. Again, there were no away supporters at Ibrox but Celtic still found a way to put down a marker and continue their derby dominance. Striker Kyogo Furuhashi netted a superb volley to earn the Glasgow bragging rights.

30/12/23 - Celtic 2 Rangers 1

Gers had come from nowhere to look like genuine title contenders under Philippe Clement. They were unbeaten under the Belgian and were confident of keeping that going in the derby. Celtic, however, showed their rivals they still had some way to go. The Hoops came out on top thanks to goals from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi. James Tavernier netted for Rangers but Celtic got the result that put them top at the winter break.

25/2/24 - Motherwell 1 Celtic 3

The champions were very much on the ropes when they went in 1-0 down to a Blair Spittal goal at half-time in this game. If they had lost they could have gone five points behind Rangers. A spirited second-half comeback at Fir Park saw Adam Idah net an equaliser and then two stoppage-time goals from the Irishman and Luis Palma handed Celtic a much-needed three points. That comeback sparked the title push back into life.

13/4/24 - Celtic 3 St Mirren 0

Brendan Rodgers' Bhoys were slow out of the blocks in this match last month. It took a second-half turnaround from Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah to see off stuffy St Mirren. The victory put Celtic four points clear of Rangers, who still had two games in hand in the Premiershp race. The Light Blues then went on to lose at Ross County and draw with Dundee - suddenly Celtic were firmly in the driving seat.

11/5/24 - Celtic 2 Rangers 1

This proved to be the final nail in Rangers' title coffin. It was a game that the Light Blues knew they had to win but the champs again came out on top when it mattered. Two quick-fire goals from Matt O'Riley and a John Lundstram own goal were enough to put the home side in control. Rangers had Lundstram sent off and got a consolation goal from Cyriel Dessers. This big win put the Hoops within a point of the title.

15/5/24 - Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 5

Parkhead manager Brendan Rodgers came into this game knowing that a solitary point would see his players regain their title. Rugby Park hadn't been the happiest of hunting grounds this season for the Hoops but that changed when it really mattered. Celtic put on a five-star performance with goals from Adam Idah, Daizen Maeda, James Forrest and a Matt O'Riley double to seal the 2023-2024 Premiership title.