Celtic Crowned 2014-15 Scottish Premiership Champions: Comments and Reaction

Celtic were crowned Scottish champions for the fourth successive season after Aberdeen's 1-0 defeat to Dundee United on Saturday.

The Bhoys moved within reach of the Scottish Premiership title on Friday, when they beat Dundee 5-0.

Second-placed Aberdeen knew only a victory at Tannadice would be enough to keep their slim title hopes alive, but they could not get the necessary result.

Sky Sports Football reported the news of Celtic's triumph:

Celtic sit 11 points clear of the Dons with three games remaining, thus confirming their championship success in Ronny Deila's first season in charge.

Deila paid tribute to his side's efforts over the season, per Paul Cuddihy on Celtic's website:

"

We have achieved a big thing—winning the league for the fourth time—and hopefully there will be more and more. Defensively we have been unbelievable the whole season and we have hardly conceded a goal. Offensively we have been getting better and we scored five beautiful goals against Dundee on Friday night.

"

They add the title victory to their Scottish League Cup triumph in March.

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

It is the Glasgow outfit's 46th Scottish title, and they are now just eight behind Rangers' record haul of 54.

In truth, the title had looked like Celtic's to lose since late January, and a 4-0 drubbing of Aberdeen in March looked to be a huge step toward Premiership glory.

Striker Leigh Griffiths credited his manager following Celtic's confirmation as champions, per the Daily Record's Scott McDermott:

"

The gaffer deserves a lot of credit because after the first few months we were struggling and had been knocked out of the Champions League. Things weren’t going our way and some people were wanting him sacked. But he showed the mentality he has by sticking to his guns and playing the same way. The results came for us and we’ve finished the season as champions.

"

Sports writer Brian McNally gave similar credit to Deila, who endured a tough start to life in Glasgow:

Scotland's top division has been slightly lacking this season, with big-name clubs such as Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers all battling it out in the second tier.

But Aberdeen deserve great credit for pushing Celtic this far.

Eventually, though, despite an indifferent start to the season—they dropped 10 points in their opening eight fixtures—Celtic have come through as worthy winners.