Celtic are earliest Scottish title champions in 88 years

Celtic have become the earliest side to become champions of Scotland in 88 years.

Celtic players pile on Stuart Armstrong after his goal makes it 3-0. Picture: SNS

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Brendan Rodgers’ side secured the league crown after defeating Hearts 5-0 at Tynecastle, thanks to a hat-trick from Scott Sinclair and goals from Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts.

In chronological terms, Celtic have won the league sooner more recently, notably in Neil Lennon’s final season where they wrapped up the championship with an away win at Partick Thistle in late March.

However, if we judge “earliest” by the percentage of matches remaining after the title has been won, this ranks joint-third on the all-time list.

With still eight league games to go, Celtic have won the crown with 21.1 per cent of their total games still to play. Rangers did likewise in 1929.

They just missed out on setting a new all-time record, which would have been achieved had Aberdeen lost to Dundee on Friday night.

Rangers hold the all-time record. They won the title with 22.2 per cent of their total games still to play in 1899 and 1900.