Celtic champions and Hearts relegated as Premiership ends

Celtic have been awarded the Scottish Premiership title and Hearts have been relegated after the season was ended amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Parkhead side, who have now won nine championships in a row, held a 13-point lead over rivals Rangers when the league was suspended in March.

The SPFL ratified the decision to bring a premature end to the campaign at a meeting on Monday.

A points-per-game basis was used to determine the final league positions.

Rangers have finished runners-up, with Motherwell third and Aberdeen in fourth – the final European qualification spot.

Hearts have been relegated with eight games left to play and now face the prospect of Championship football when football resumes.

However, the club’s chair Ann Budge has previously suggested she will take legal action to challenge relegation.

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 Premiership now and we thank the Premiership clubs for their support on this decision.”

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster added: “On Friday, Premiership clubs expressed their clear and unanimous view that there was no realistic prospect of completing the outstanding fixtures from Season 2019/20.

“The SPFL board met this morning and in line with the express agreement of member clubs in April, the board determined that league season 2019/20 and the Premiership be brought to an end.

“This decision now enables us to pay out around £7 million in fees to help clubs stay afloat during this incredibly difficult time.

“We will begin processing these payments immediately.

“The focus of all those involved in the game will now turn to how we get football up and running again safely as soon as possible.”