Celtic win Scottish title after Pope tribute and ticket price protest

Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership for the fourth year in a row after beating Dundee United 5-0 as their fans protested against the cost of match tickets and a tribute was made to Pope Francis on the day of his funeral.

It’s Celtic’s 13th title in 14 years and manager Brendan Rodgers’s 11th major trophy with the Glasgow club.

The Bhoys, as the club are also known, can now complete their sixth treble in nine seasons, and Rodgers’ third, when they face Aberdeen in next month’s Scottish Cup final.

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Winger James Forrest picked up a record 26th winners’ medal, one more than Bobby Lennox, who was part of the famous “Lisbon Lions” side that won the European Cup in 1967.

Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah both scored twice at Tannadice, as Celtic recorded their 27th victory of the campaign, seven more than Rangers, in second place in the table.

The game was held up after around 11 minutes when Celtic’s fans among the crowd of more than 13,500 threw dozens of tangerines onto the pitch.

They were protesting against Dundee United’s decision to charge visiting adult fans up to £42 to see the game when it became clear the leaders would clinch the title with a draw. Home fans were charged as little as £10, reports said.

Supporters chanted about the prices as the pieces of fruit landed on the turf and held up a banner saying: “Enjoy the fruits of our labour” before Celtic’s players helped clear them off the pitch.

Celtic had complained to the Scottish Professional Football League after the hosts set the ticket prices.

Dundee United’s nickname is the Tangerines, and they traditionally play in an orange kit.

One Celtic fan posted a picture on X of the fruit on the pitch, joking there were “more tangerines in this picture than [fiercest rivals] Rangers have won trophies in the last 15 years!!!!”.

There was a further, shorter delay early in the second half when about 20 footballs came flying on to the pitch from the same stand behind the goal as United goalkeeper Jack Walton was about to take a goal-kick.

With their team leading 4-0, Celtic fans held up a new banner which said: “Stop pricing fans out of football.”

Before kick-off, a well-observed minute’s silence was held for Pope Francis on the day of his funeral in Rome.

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Celtic fans also paid tribute with banners and Vatican flags and chanted “Papa Francesco” before the silence began and it was perfectly observed after a few early shouts.

A Celtic delegation, including manager Brendan Rodgers, his squad, and staff, had a private audience with the Pope after a match in Rome in 2023.