Sad case of broken Hearts.

Celtic's display of powerful attacking football enabled them to snatch their 34th Scottish League Championship at the expense of Heart of Midlothian, who stumbled at the final hurdle after an astonishing run of success.

Rated at 6-1 outsiders for the title as they entered the last match of the season, Celtic edged out Hearts on a goal difference of only three.

Calling on their renowned fighting traditions, Celtic beat St Mirren 5-0 at Paisley with as spirited a performance as any in the long history of the club.

They were four goals ahead by half-time, staggering their opponents with the speed and venom of their attacks.

The goals were scored by McClair, Johnston (2) and McStay.

Although the game was over by the interval, there was no stopping Celtic and, against all the odds, the League flag was bound for Parkhead.

McClair added another in the second half.

As Celtic players ran a lap of honour, thousands of Hearts supporters who had travelled to Dundee already celebrating what they felt was certain Championship victory, were in tears - having seen the title torn from their grip with just seven minutes of the season left.

Hearts had fought hard throughout an emotional afternoon, even though players' nerves were jangling, and it appeared they would earn the point they required to take the title until, that is, Dundee brought on Kidd as a substitute to score two late goals which shattered the Edinburgh dream.

Hearts, who had played 31 matches without defeat, perhaps relied too much on defence but their disappointed manager, Alex MacDonald, explained that five players were affected by a virus, one of them, the outstanding defender Levin, having to be left out of the crucial game.

Now Hearts have the difficult task of trying to restore confidence before next week's Scottish Cup final with Aberdeen, who played vintage football to beat Clydebank 6-0.

While Dundee ended Hearts hopes, they failed to win a place in Europe, that distinction going to Rangers, who beat Motherwell 2-0 at Ibrox.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk