Celtic title defence ends with a whimper

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan?s dreams of a fourth successive Scottish Premier League title ended in failure after Rangers sealed the championship with victory at Dundee United.

Strachan?s men had at one point led their bitter Glasgow rivals by eight points but came into the final match of the season two points behind and desperately looking for help elsewhere.

But they served up a nervy, error-ridden performance and while they were being contained by a resolute Hearts side in a goalless draw here, the Ibrox club were running rampant at Tannadice to secure the coveted trophy.

Strachan was hoping to become the first Parkhead boss since the revered Jock Stein to win four-in-a-row and opted for Greek hitman Georgios Samaras in attack alongside top scorer Scott McDonald.

Shunsuke Nakamura shook off a groin injury to make what is expected to be his last appearance for the club.

The Japanese playmaker has wowed the Parkhead faithful in his four years in Glasgow and had an immediate chance to impress yet again when he was fouled on the edge of box by Hristos Karipidis after just three minutes.

But this time he was unable to add to his collection of wonder goals and his low free-kick from 20 yards was easily held by Hearts keeper Marian Kello.

Almost immediately news started to filter through of an early Rangers goal to silence, at least momentarily, the Parkhead faithful.

Celtic were toiling to make a breakthrough of their own against a confident Hearts side that arrived in Glasgow with next season?s Europa League place already secured.

But they so nearly got the crucial opener on 21 minutes. Scott Brown was given time and space on the edge of the area and his low right-foot drive was parried by Kello The rebound fell invitingly to McDonald but the Australian forward blasted wildly over from just six yards.

Aiden McGeady, a surprise omission in the recent Old Firm defeat, tried to take matters into his own hands eight minutes later when he jinked inside from his left-wing berth. His low right-foot shot from 18 yards was low and accurate but Kello got down well to touch it against the outside of the post and out for a corner.

The pressure was starting to mount on the visitors goal and Kello again did well to save Paul Hartley?s deflected effort from outside the area.

And the Slovakian shot-stopper made his best save yet on 34 minutes when he turned away Nakamura?s low drive after he had been cleverly set up after a jinking run and pass by fellow wideman McGeady.

There was an air of desperation amongst the home support now and Brown failed to settle their nerves moments later when he cut inside but fired over on his weaker left foot from 14 yards.

Hearts had rarely been seen as attacking force but nearly went ahead on the stroke of half-time when the home defence failed to clear Robbie Neilsen?s long throw. The ball broke to Calum Elliot but his low shot from four yards was partially blocked by keeper Artur Boruc and Gary Caldwell completed the job by clearing the ball off the line.

Strachan replaced the ineffective Samaras with Dutch forward Jan Vennegoor of Hessilink at the interval. But goals either side of half-time for Walter Smith?s side in Dundee had by now effectively ended the Hoops title hopes.

Celtic still had to take care of their own business and McGeady should have given them the lead on 55 minutes but he fired wide from 12 yards after Darren O?Dea had controlled Brown?s cross into his path.

Shaun Maloney replaced McDonald on 69 minutes and he created another opportunity for Brown moments later but the midfielder?s low 16-yard shot was tipped round the post by the impressive Kello.

Nakamura almost ended his final game with a flourish but sent his bending right-foot effort over the bar from 16 yards with the last kick of the match.