Celtic are Scottish Premiership champions after Aberdeen’s title hopes came to an end at Dundee United this afternoon.
The Dons had to win to keep their hopes of catching the Hoops alive but a 1-0 defeat at Tannadice means Ronny Deila’s side are champions for the fourth year in a row.
Dons manager Derek McInnes made one change to the side which secured second place at Caley Thistle last weekend with Peter Pawlett restored to the starting 11 in place of midfielder Kenny McLean. Defender Andy Considine was named captain on his 300th appearance for the club.
United manager Jackie McNamara also made one change to the team which lost 3-0 at home to Celtic in their last outing with attacker Nadir Ciftci returning from suspension. Chris Erskine dropped out for the forward.
The Dons came close to opening the scoring early through an Adam Rooney header which was saved by United goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierniak. Ash Taylor reacted to the rebound but was unable to convert as the home side scrambled the ball clear.
But it was United, against the run of play, who opened the scoring.
John Souttar’s long through ball should have been cleared but a breakdown in communication between Taylor and Shay Logan allowed Robbie Muirhead to run clear and the former Kilmarnock forward fired the ball past Scott Brown in the Aberdeen goal.
Despite losing the goal the Dons remained in the ascendancy but they were unable to make their possession count with their best chance coming just before half-time when a Logan cross was deflected into the path of substitute Cammy Smith but his shot was blocked by United defender Ryan McGowan.
United almost doubled their lead within minutes of the restart when the ball ricocheted off Ryan Jack into Muirhead’s path but Brown made a fine save to keep out the attacker’s shot.
The Dons, driven on by their need to win the game, swept forward in pursuit of an equaliser but their final ball was lacking in the attacking third.
Aberdeen failed to create many clearcut chances with their best opportunity falling to leading scorer Rooney but his deflected shot was saved by United goalkeeper Cierzniak.