Celtic Declared Champions After Scottish League Is Abandoned, Hearts Relegated
Celtic have been crowned champions of Scotland for a ninth straight season after the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) decided to end the top flight early because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Hearts of Midlothian have in effect been relegated to the second tier of Scottish football as they were four points adrift at the foot of the league table before football was brought to a halt back in March.
Celtic were 13 points clear of second placed Rangers, although the Bhoys had played a game more than Steven Gerrard’s men.
The SPFL released a statement on Monday indicating that the final league standings had been finalised using a points-per-game system.
The statement read: "The SPFL has today announced that, following consultation with all 12 top-flight clubs, the Board of the SPFL has determined that the 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership has been concluded with immediate effect.
"As with the Ladbrokes Championship, Ladbrokes League One and Ladbrokes League Two competitions, final season placings have been determined by points per game in league matches played to 13 March 2020 by each club.
"The decision means that Celtic are crowned 2019/20 champions and Hearts have been relegated to the Ladbrokes Championship."
SPFL chairman Murdoch MacLennan said: "Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to officially congratulate Celtic on their achievement of winning the Ladbrokes Premiership this season, and also to sincerely commiserate with Hearts on their relegation.
"We would all have rather seen the league season played out on pitches, in stadiums and in front of supporters. This is not the way anybody involved with Scottish football would have wanted to conclude the league season but, given the grave and unprecedented circumstances that we are facing, the board has agreed that it is the only practical way forward.
"Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on sporting competitions around the world and the repercussions will be felt for a long time. Scottish Government restrictions and deep concerns for both player and spectator safety left the SPFL with no realistic option but to call the Ladbrokes Premiership now and we thank the Premiership clubs for their support on this decision."
