On This Day in 2004, Stan Petrov’s strike at Rugby Park sealed Celtic’s third league title in four years. With Celtic falling agonisingly short against Killie the year before, Martin O’Neill’s side comfortably beat Kilmarnock due to a single goal from the attacking midfielder.
Henrik Larsson, in his final season, flicked the ball on allowing the Bulgarian to finish, delivering the three points that propelled O’Neill’s side into an unassailable lead. It sparked wild scenes on and off the pitch as Celtic clinched the league title.
18th April 2004, Celtic win the title at Rugby Park.
Stan Petrov with the winner. @StanPetrov19 pic.twitter.com/AvA3iIsbWa
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 17, 2022
Extended highlights are below:
Celtic had made it 32 games unbeaten in the League that season and sealed the title after moving 16 points clear of Rangers. Unfortunately, O’Neill’s team were unable to seal the title of invincibles as they lost two of the remaining games of the season. It was a fantastic team but it appeared to be breaking up with a few players – including Henrik – destined for the exit.
Celtic: Douglas, Balde, Varga, Mjallby, Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Pearson, McNamara, Larsson, Petrov.
Subs: Marshall, Sylla, Wallace, Smith, Miller.
