10 moments that turned title tide

May 25 2008 By Brian Mcsweeney

IN one of the most exciting ever finishes to an SPL title race Celtic squeezed past their greatest rivals in a tension-packed final day.

Gordon Strachan's third championship in a row was without doubt his hardest as Walter Smith's men pushed the Hoops all the way.

The SPL battle was packed with drama and controversy and here we analyse the 10 crucial moments that swung the title Celtic's way.

1 A MAJOR shock was on the cards at Fir Park in October when Gretna's Fabian Yantorno curled in a first-half free-kick to stun the champs. Celtic struggled to find a leveller but Gretna's resistancewas finally broken in 85 minutes when sub Chris Killen pounced for his first goal for the Hoops. Scott McDonald then slid home an injury-timewinner to grab an unlikely three points.

2 STRACHAN'S side sneaked a controversial 1-0 win at Falkirk at the end of January with TV pictures showing McDonald was a yard offside before he headed in Shunsuke Nakamura's cross to steal the points for a below-par Celtic side.

3 CELTS produced their best display in months at the start of February to beat Aberdeen 5-1.

Player of the Year Aiden McGeady inspired the Hoops to the win with a sensational performance including a stunning double drag back to set up McDonald for the third goal.

4 THE free-flowing football of Pittodrie was nowhere to be seen two weeks later at Love Street as Celtic struggled to break down a gutsy St Mirren defence. But Nakamura curled in a late free-kick to get them out of jail. The winner was hotly disputed however with the Buddies raging at ref Eddie Smith for awarding the set-piece chance when Celtic's Japanese ace tumbled under a soft Gary Mason challenge.

5 SCOTT BROWNpicked up his 13th booking of a frustrating season as Celtic beat Gretna 3-0 at Almondvale at the end of March. It meant a three-match ban for the ex-Hibs man and led to Barry Robson getting a run in the top team. Robson never looked back after grabbing his chance and his midfield partnership with Paul Hartley was instrumental in Celtic's late charge to the title.

6 CELTIC'S first home game of the season against Rangers on April 16 gave the Hoops the belief they could claw their way back into the title race. Strachan knew one slip would hand Gers the trophy. With the score locked at 1-1 it looked to be advantage Rangers but Allan McGregor's ankle knock gave Celtic the five minutes injury time they needed to stay in contention and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink headed the winner deep into stoppage time.

7 AS the title chase went to the wire every refereeing call was under intense scrutiny. Just three days after their Old Firm win Celtic were hanging on for three points against Aberdeen thanks to Georgios Samaras' second-half header when Zander Diamond appeared to end the home side's championship dream with an injury-time goal. But Iain Brines rescued Celtic when he blew for a handball by Barry Nicholson.

8 CELTIC completed a quickfire double against Rangers on April 27 with a 3-2 win at Parkhead.

Asee-saw first-half finished level but Kirk Broadfoot's clumsy challenge on McDonald gave Robson the chance to drill home a penalty and move the Hoops five points clear.

9 THE Hoops bagged another vital win at Motherwell on May 3 but the 2-1 victory was marred by another refereeing error. Samaras headed in the winner but Steve Conroy's decision to award the corner that led to the goal caused uproar. Bobo Balde clearly headed the ball out but the ref thought not.

10 JUST days after the funeral of Parkhead legend Tommy Burns, Celtic went to Tannadice knowing a win would all but clinch the title. But the Hoops were toiling to find a way past Dundee United. With nerves fraying news of a Lee Miller goal in the Aberdeen-Rangers clash lifted the tension and Hesselink finally sealed a dramatic third SPL title for an emotional Strachan.