Rampant Celtic wins Scottish title in style

GLASGOW - Celtic clinched the Scottish Premier League title in style on Saturday, thrashing Kilmarnock 6-0 to reclaim the championship from fierce rival Rangers with a month of the season remaining.

Neil Lennon’s side needed a point at Rugby Park to claim its first title since 2008 and 43rd overall. A double from Charlie Mulgrew and other first-half goals by Glenn Loovens and Gary Hooper ensured celebrations could start before halftime. Late strikes by Joe Ledley and Hooper added gloss to an easy win.

“It’s the best day of my professional life,” Neil Lennon, Celtic’s manager, said. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s been two years in the waiting. I’m so proud of them. They deserve it.

“We have been the best team in Scotland by a long way and we have finished it in the right way.”

Celtic players, including Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yueng and right back Cha Du-ri, donned T-shirts that read “This is just the beginning,” as they walked a lap of honor.

Celtic’s passage to the title was cleared by second-place Rangers being docked 10 points in February for going into administration - a form of bankruptcy protection. Celtic has an unassailable 18-point lead after Rangers beat St. Mirren 3-1.AP