Peter Lawwell: A real shame Celtic weren't able to win it on the park

Title dedicated to NHS staff

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has hailed the club’s ninth successive league league triumph but admitted he would rather have clinched it by completing the season.

He said that “no-one can deny” that the title is deserved.

The Parkhead side were declared champions via a statement from the Scottish Professional Football League on Monday at around 12.15pm.

The SPFL announced the widely-anticipated decision following a meeting with all clubs, with the campaign determined on a points per game average.

With eight rounds of fixtures remaining, Celtic were 13 points clear of second-placed Rangers when the league was called. The Ibrox side had a game in hand and were still due to play Celtic twice.

Lawwell issued a message to the club’s supporters, thanking them for their support.

He said: “Today you are a champion, you are someone who has contributed to yet another fantastic season for our great club and today you have made history – as someone who has been an integral part of 9 in a row!

“I want to thank you sincerely for your commitment - a commitment that has allowed us to build our team, to deliver yet another major honour and to ensure that once again we have proven ourselves to be the dominant force in Scottish football.”

The chief executive added: “It is, of course, a real shame that we were not able to see out the league in front of our fans. However, no one can deny how deserved this title is.”

Lawwell went on to praise Celtic manager Neil Lennon and his assistants, John Kennedy and Damien Duff, for “playing the Celtic way”.

“I want to thank Neil, John Kennedy, Damien Duff, our wonderful players and backroom team and all our staff for all they have given to our cause this year,” he said in a message posted on the club’s website.

“Under Neil’s guidance, we have produced performances of the highest quality. We have produced exciting, attacking, winning football. We have played the Celtic way and won the Celtic way. We are champions for a reason.

“Supported brilliantly by you, Neil and our team have shown such focus and relentlessness, producing phenomenal consistency and ultimately delivering a 13-point margin at the league’s conclusion.

“I am so proud of our team and proud of you for all you have given us.”

Lawwell went on to dedicate the title to the carers who have been working during the Covid-19 pandemic, and those affected.

He said: “Celtic has a charitable purpose at its core and during these unprecedented times of crisis we felt it was crucial that we stood up and supported those in need. I am delighted to report that through Celtic FC Foundation we have now committed £450,000 to this effort.

“We continue to marvel at the contribution of frontline NHS staff and other key workers to our society and we are very aware that they and so many others in so many different ways require some vital help.”