CELTIC CLINCHED THEIR 45th Scottish title in style as they eased to a 5-1 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill tonight.
It is the earliest the Scottish top flight title has been won since 1928/29, when Rangers won it on 16 March.
Anthony Stokes got the party started early as he headed Celtic into a third minute lead before substitute Liam Henderson grabbed his first goal for the Hoops just four minutes after coming on at the interval.
Stefan Johansen then drilled an unstoppable shot past Paul Gallacher in the 53rd mintue and Leigh Griffiths and Stokes both had efforts ruled out for offside before Christie Elliott netted an 85th minute consolation for Thistle
Stokes sent a sensational strike past Gallacher before Kris Commons had the final word with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time to send Celtic 26 points clear of Aberdeen with seven games remaining and seal a 45th league championship.
The Hoops have dropped just nine points on their relentless march to the title, tasting defeat just once in a season where ‘keeper Fraser Forster set a new Scottish shut-out record of 1,256 minutes.
It is a third successive league title for Celtic and manager Neil Lennon, who celebrated four years in the job on Tuesday, to add to the five championships he clinched as a player with the Parkhead club.