Luis Palma scored the late winner as two-time Scottish champions Celtic ended their triumphant Premiership campaign with a 3-2 victory at home to St Mirren on Saturday, followed by a trophy involving Santa Claus.
St Mirren captain Mark O’Hara twice gave the visitors the lead at Parkhead but goals from Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi meant Celtic were level at half-time.
And when Palma turned in Anthony Ralston’s cross in the 86th minute, the home fans were able to shout for Celtic before the trophy was handed over.
A figure dressed in traditional Santa Claus costume presented the trophy – six months after being booed during the half-time draw during a defeat to Hearts.
Palma’s goal prompted Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to replace Joe Hart, with fans applauding the 37-year-old in what was the former England goalkeeper’s final game of his league career.
Hart will now attempt to lift the seventh trophy of his three-year spell at Parkhead when Celtic face Glasgow arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup final next week.
– ‘Only rewards for Santa Claus’ –
Rodgers, in his second spell as Celtic manager, said: “Today was a brilliant day at Celtic. The sun was shining, Santa got his just reward at the end and it was a really special day.”
Winning the Premiership title will also help Rodgers, who returned to Glasgow 11 months ago, repair relationships with Celtic fans damaged by his decision more than four years ago to join Leicester mid-season.
“I just didn’t want the way I left and the reaction to it to be the big final point in my Celtic story because this club means everything to me,” said Rodgers, 51.
The Northern Irishman added: “Growing up, supporting it, understanding the history of the club and what it means to so many people. I didn’t want that to be the story. So I was really determined to come back, to at least be more successful this time.”
Celtic started having already won their 54th Scottish league title – their 12th in 13 years – with a 5-0 victory at Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
But O’Hara dampened the mood by opening the scoring in the seventh minute.
O’Riley equalized in the 21st minute, but six minutes later St Mirren took the lead again, with O’Hara scoring from the penalty spot after Celtic defender Stephen Welsh brought down Toyosi Olusanya inside the box.
Celtic were level again eight minutes before half-time when Furuhashi turned in fellow Japanese star Reo Hatate’s cross at the near post.
Second-placed Rangers drew 3-3 with Hearts, who scored with the last kick of the game at Tynecastle.
Lawrence Shankland gave Edinburgh Hearts, already assured of third place, a first-half lead, only for Rangers to score three unanswered goals after the break through Ross McCausland, Todd Cantwell and Fabio Silva.
But Dexter Lembikisa’s strike revived Hearts late in the game and they equalized in stoppage time thanks to Kyosuke Tagawa’s excellent strike.
But the long-standing gap between the Old Firm and the rest of the Premiership was made evident by the fact that Hearts finished a huge 17 points behind Rangers, who were eight points behind Celtic.
Dundee and Kilmarnock drew 1-1 at Dens Park in the other Premiership match on Saturday.
Gary MacKay-Steven put Killie ahead in the 24th minute before Luke McGowan equalized for the hosts 13 minutes later.
Robbie Deas’ second yellow card in the 84th minute reduced Kilmarnock to 10 men and four minutes later McCowan missed a penalty.
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