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Scottish Premier League 2007-08 

Clydesdale Bank Premier League
Season 2007–08
Champions Celtic
Relegated No relegation[1]
Champions League Celtic, Rangers
UEFA Cup Motherwell
Intertoto Cup Hibernian
Top goalscorer Scott McDonald (25)
Biggest home win Rangers 7–2 Falkirk (18 Aug)
Inverness CT 6–1 Gretna (03 May)
Celtic 5–0 Hearts (25 Aug)
Celtic 5–0 Inverness CT (15 Sep)
Biggest away win Aberdeen 1–5 Celtic (10 Feb)
St. Mirren 1–5 Celtic (02 Sep)
St. Mirren 1–5 Falkirk (01 Dec)
Gretna 0–4 Falkirk (04 Aug)
Gretna 0–4 Inverness CT (27 Oct)
Hearts 0–4 Rangers (27 Feb)
Highest attendance 60,000, Celtic 0–0 Kilmarnock (05 Aug)
Lowest attendance 431, Gretna 1–2 Inverness CT (05 Apr)
← Previous season
2006–07
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2008–09

The 2007-08 Scottish Premier League season was the tenth season of the Scottish Premier League. It began on August 4, 2007 and was originally due to end on 18 May 2008. Due to Rangers' progression to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final and the postponement of fixtures during the winter due to poor weather and the death of Phil O'Donnell, a backlog of Rangers fixtures led to the SPL's decision to move the final round of fixtures to 22 May 2008[2]. It is the first season under the sponsorship of the Clydesdale Bank.

League champions Celtic qualified directly for the Champions League, while second-placed Rangers qualified for the Second qualifying round. Third-placed Motherwell qualified for the UEFA Cup and Hibernian will play in the Intertoto Cup. First Division Queen of the South also qualified for the UEFA Cup after reaching the Scottish Cup Final. Gretna were relegated after just one season in the SPL and will be replaced by Hamilton Academical, who were First Division champions.

Gretna were promoted from the First Division last season and played in the SPL for the first time, replacing Dunfermline Athletic. Gretna did not play at their home stadium (Raydale Park) because it did not meet SPL stadia criteria. Gretna used Fir Park for most of their games instead, although they also played one match at Livingston.

Contents

Promotion and Relegation from 2006–07

Promoted from First Division to Premier League

Relegated from Premier League to First Division

Events

Main article: 2007-08 in Scottish football#Notable events
  • May 29: Gretna are demoted to the Third Division after administrator David Elliot could not guareentee the Football League that the club would fulfil its fixtures next season.[7]
  • June 2: Gretna have resigned from the Scottish Football League because the administrator concluded that the club could not continue to run as a business.[8]

League table

P
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
1 Celtic  (C) 38 28 5 5 84 26 +58 89 UEFA Champions League 2008-09
Group stage
2 Rangers 38 27 5 6 84 33 +51 86 UEFA Champions League 2008-09
Second qualifying round
3 Motherwell 38 18 6 14 50 46 +4 60 UEFA Cup 2008-09 First round
4 Aberdeen 38 15 8 15 50 58 −8 53
5 Dundee United 38 14 10 14 53 47 +6 52
6 Hibernian 38 14 10 14 49 45 +4 52 UEFA Intertoto Cup 2008 Second round
7 Falkirk 38 13 10 15 45 49 −4 49
8 Hearts 38 13 9 16 47 55 −8 48
9 Inverness CT 38 13 4 21 51 62 −11 43
10 St. Mirren 38 10 11 17 26 54 −28 41
11 Kilmarnock 38 10 10 18 39 52 −13 40
12 Gretna 38 5 8 25 32 83 −51 13 Resigned from the Scottish Football League

Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal difference; 3rd goals scored.
Gretna: 10 points were deducted from Gretna for going into administration.[9] They have resigned from the Scottish Football League because the administrator concluded that the club could not continue to run as a business.[8]
Intertoto Cup: The highest-placed team who applied for the Intertoto Cup and not in an automatic UEFA Cup spot was awarded a place in that competition, Falkirk and Hibernian were the applicants for the Intertoto Cup.
P = Position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points; (C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted.

Results

Matches 1-22

During matches 1-22 each team plays every other team twice (home and away).

Home \ Away1 ABER CELT DUNU FALK GRET HEAR HIBS INVE KILM WELL RANG STMI
Aberdeen 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–0 2–1 1–2 1–1 4–0
Celtic 3–0 3–0 4–0 3–0 5–0 1–1 5–0 0–0 3–0 2–1 1–1
Dundee United 1–0 0–2 2–0 1–2 4–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 1–0 2–1 2–0
Falkirk 0–0 1–4 3–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–3 0–1
Gretna 1–1 1–2 3–2 0–4 1–1 0–1 0–4 1–2 1–2 1–2 0–0
Hearts 4–1 1–1 1–3 4–2 1–1 0–1 2–3 1–1 1–2 4–2 0–1
Hibernian 3–3 3–2 2–2 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–0 4–1 1–0 1–2 0–1
Inverness CT 1–2 3–2 0–3 4–2 3–0 2–1 2–0 3–1 0–3 0–3 1–0
Kilmarnock 0–1 1–2 2–1 0–1 3–3 3–1 2–1 2–2 0–1 1–2 0–0
Motherwell 3–0 1–4 5–3 0–3 3–0 0–2 2–1 2–1 1–2 1–1 1–1
Rangers 3–0 3–0 2–0 7–2 4–0 2–1 0–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0
St. Mirren 0–1 1–5 0–3 1–5 1–0 1–3 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–3

Source: BBC Sport
1The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; White = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.

Matches 23-33

During matches 23-33 each team will play every other team once (either at home or away). This means that during matches 1-33 each team will play every other team 3 times (either 1 home, 2 away or 2 home, 1 away).

Home \ Away1 ABER CELT DUNU FALK GRET HEAR HIBS INVE KILM WELL RANG STMI
Aberdeen 1–5 2–1 3–0 0–1 1–1 1–1
Celtic 0–0 3–0 2–1 1–0 0–1
Dundee United 3–0 0–0 1–1 2–0 3–3 1–1
Falkirk 0–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 4–0
Gretna 0–3 0–3 2–0 1–2 4–2 1–3
Hearts 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–0 0–4
Hibernian 3–1 0–2 4–2 2–0 2–0 2–0
Inverness CT 3–4 1–1 0–1 0–3 0–1
Kilmarnock 3–1 1–2 0–0 4–1 0–2 1–0
Motherwell 0–1 1–0 3–1 1–0 1–1
Rangers 3–1 1–0 2–0 4–2 2–1 4–0
St. Mirren 0–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1

Source: BBC Sport
1The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; White = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.

Matches 34-38

During matches 34-38 each team will play every other team in their half of the table once (either at home or away).

Top six

Home \ Away1 ABER CELT DUNU HIBS WELL RANG
Aberdeen 2–1 2–1 2–0
Celtic 1–0 2–0 3–2
Dundee United 0–1 1–1
Hibernian 0–2 0–0
Motherwell 2–1 1–2 2–2
Rangers 3–1 1–0
Last updated: 7 May
Source: BBC Sport
1The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; White = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.

Bottom six

Home \ Away1 FALK GRET HEAR INVE KILM STMI
Falkirk 0–0 2–1 2–1
Gretna 1–0
Hearts 1–0 0–2 3–2
Inverness CT 6–1 3–0 0–0
Kilmarnock 2–1 1–1
St. Mirren 1–0 0–0 1–0
Source: BBC Sport
1The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; White = draw; Red = away team win.

Goals

Top scorers

Celtic's Scott McDonald was the top goalscorer during season 2007-2008.
Celtic's Scott McDonald was the top goalscorer during season 2007-2008.
Player Goals Club
Flag of Australia McDonald, ScottScott McDonald 25 Celtic
Flag of the Netherlands Vennegoor of Hesselink, JanJan Vennegoor of Hesselink 15 Celtic
Flag of Scotland Boyd, KrisKris Boyd 14 Rangers
Flag of England Porter, ChrisChris Porter Motherwell
Flag of Scotland Fletcher, StevenSteven Fletcher 13 Hibernian
Flag of Ireland Hunt, NoelNoel Hunt Dundee United
Flag of Scotland Robson, BarryBarry Robson Dundee United/Celtic
Flag of Scotland Clarkson, DavidDavid Clarkson 12 Motherwell
Flag of France Darcheville, Jean-ClaudeJean-Claude Darcheville Rangers
Flag of Scotland Miller, LeeLee Miller Aberdeen
Flag of Scotland Nish, ColinColin Nish 11 Kilmarnock/Hibernian
Flag of Gabon Cousin, DanielDaniel Cousin 10 Rangers
Flag of Spain Novo, NachoNacho Novo Rangers
Flag of Scotland Cowie, DonDon Cowie 9 Inverness CT
Flag of England Higdon, MichaelMichael Higdon 8 Falkirk

Source: BBC Sport

Hat-tricks

Scorer For Against Date
Flag of Australia Scott McDonald Celtic Dundee United 29 September 2007
Flag of England Clayton Donaldson Hibernian Kilmarnock 29 September 2007
Flag of Australia Scott McDonald Celtic Motherwell 27 October 2007
Flag of Ireland Aiden McGeady Celtic Falkirk 11 December 2007
Flag of Scotland Barry Robson Dundee United Hearts 2 January 2008
Flag of Scotland Steven Fletcher Hibernian Gretna 13 February 2008

Kits and shirt sponsors

Team Kitmaker Shirt Sponsor Notes
Aberdeen Nike Apex Tubulars New home and third kits
Celtic Nike Carling New home kit and new away kit to celebrate 40 years since being the first British team to win the European Cup.
Dundee United hummel Anglian Home Improvements New home and away kit
Falkirk Lotto Central Demolition Lotto take over from previous manufacturer, TFG. Home kit is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club's Scottish Cup victory in 1957.
Gretna Crest Teamwear Subway Subway take over as new sponsor
Hearts Umbro Ukio Bankas Umbro take over from previous manufacturer, Hummel
Hibernian Le Coq Sportif Whyte and Mackay New away kit and new home kit
Inverness CT Erreà Flybe Flybe take over as new sponsor
Kilmarnock Lotto www.smallworldmedia.com Lotto take over from previous manufacturer, TFG.
Motherwell Bukta Anglian Home Improvements Bukta take over from previous manufacturer, Xara
Rangers Umbro Carling New home and away kits also new 3rd kit
St. Mirren hummel Braehead Shopping Centre Hummel take over from previous manufacturer, Xara

For the first time in the SPL, certain teams are also carrying secondary sponsors on the back of their jerseys, above the players' names.

Attendances

Team Stadium Capacity Lowest Highest Average
Celtic Celtic Park 60,832 45,000 60,000 56,676
Rangers Ibrox Stadium 51,082 47,419 50,440 49,143
Hearts Tynecastle Stadium 17,420 10,512 17,131 15,930
Hibernian Easter Road 17,500 7,650 17,015 13,840
Aberdeen Pittodrie 22,199 8,240 17,798 11,993
Dundee United Tannadice Park 14,209 5,845 13,613 8,530
Motherwell1 Fir Park 13,742 4,259 10,445 6,598
Kilmarnock Rugby Park 18,128 4,086 11,544 6,181
Falkirk Falkirk Stadium 6,935 4,490 6,803 5,567
Inverness CT Caledonian Stadium 7,500 3,420 7,753 4,752
St. Mirren St. Mirren Park 10,800 3,163 7,840 4,547
Gretna1 Fir Park 13,742 431 6,137 2,283

Source: SPL official website

1 Gretna were sharing Motherwell's stadium whilst Raydale Park was being upgraded. However, in March the Fir Park pitch was considered unplayable so the game between Gretna and Celtic was played instead at Almondvale, the home of First Division club Livingston.[10]

Managerial changes

See also: 2007-08 in Scottish football#Mangerial changes
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment
Motherwell Flag of Scotland Maurice Malpas Sacked 18 June 2007 Flag of Scotland Mark McGhee 1 June 2007
Gretna Flag of Scotland Rowan Alexander Health 4 August 2007 Flag of Scotland David Irons 18 July 2007
Hearts Flag of Lithuania Valdas Ivanauskas Mutual consent Flag of Scotland Stephen Frail & Flag of Ukraine Anatoly Korobochka 30 July 2007
Inverness CT Flag of Scotland Charlie Christie Resigned August 2007 Flag of Scotland Craig Brewster 27 August 2007
Hibernian Flag of Scotland John Collins Resigned 20 December 2007 Flag of Finland Mixu Paatelainen 10 January 2008
Gretna Flag of Scotland David Irons Resigned 19 February 2008 Flag of England Mick Wadsworth February 19
Hearts Flag of Scotland Stephen Frail[11] Mutual Consent 27 May 2008 Flag of Hungary Csaba László 11 July[12]

Awards

Monthly awards

Main article: Scottish Premier League monthly awards
See also: 2007-08 in Scottish football#Monthly awards
Month Manager Player Young player Rising star
August Flag of Scotland Walter Smith (Rangers) Flag of Spain Carlos Cuéllar (Rangers) Flag of Scotland Steven Fletcher (Hibernian) Flag of Scotland Mark Staunton (Falkirk)
September Flag of Scotland John Collins (Hibernian) Flag of Australia Scott McDonald (Celtic) Flag of England Andrew Driver (Hearts) Flag of Scotland Scott Anson (Kilmarnock)
October Flag of Scotland Craig Levein (Dundee United) Flag of Scotland Lee Wilkie (Dundee United) Flag of Scotland Ross McCormack (Motherwell) Flag of Scotland Jack Wilson (Hibernian)
November Flag of Scotland Mark McGhee (Motherwell) Flag of Ireland Aiden McGeady (Celtic) Flag of Scotland Ross McCormack (Motherwell) Flag of Scotland Liam Cusack (Gretna)
December Flag of Scotland Craig Brewster (Inverness CT) Flag of Romania Marius Niculae (Inverness CT) Flag of Scotland Scott Arfield (Falkirk) —
January Flag of Scotland Walter Smith (Rangers) Flag of Scotland Barry Robson (Dundee United) Flag of England Danny Grainger (Dundee United) —
February Flag of Finland Mixu Paatelainen (Hibernian) Flag of Ireland Aiden McGeady (Celtic) Flag of Scotland Steven Fletcher (Hibernian) Flag of Scotland Ryan Strachan (Aberdeen)
March Flag of Scotland Walter Smith (Rangers) Flag of Scotland Darren Barr (Falkirk) Flag of Scotland Garry Kenneth (Dundee United) Flag of Scotland Ryan Crighton (St. Mirren)
April Flag of Scotland Gordon Strachan (Celtic) Flag of Scotland Barry Robson (Celtic) Flag of Scotland Gary Glen (Hearts) —

Scottish Writers Clydesdale Bank Premier League Awards

Award Recipient
Player of the Season Flag of Spain Carlos Cuéllar (Rangers)
Manager of the Season Flag of Scotland Walter Smith (Rangers)
Young Player of the Season Flag of Ireland Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
Goal of the Season Flag of Ireland Willo Flood (Dundee United v St. Mirren)
Under-19 League Player of the Season Flag of Scotland Scott Anson (Kilmarnock)
Best Club Media Relations Kilmarnock
Best Fan Initiative Hearts
Best Matchday Hospitality Package Rangers
Best Community Initiative Falkirk
Best Away Ground Tynecastle (Hearts)

Broadcasting rights

  • Setanta Sports will continue to provide domestic TV live coverage and highlights as in previous seasons, with STV and BBC Scotland also now broadcasting free-to-air highlights.
  • BBC Radio Scotland will continue to provide domestic radio coverage, with many games also available internationally, and all domestically, through their website.
  • The BBC hold rights to show highlights online and do so through the BBC Sport website.
  • Internationally, the Premier League's overseas television broadcasting partner is TWI, with coverage of the SPL available in over 100 territories worldwide.[1]

Transfer deals

See: List of Scottish football transfers 2007-08

External links

References

  1. ^ "Crisis-hit Gretna facing uncertain future", The Times (2008-03-13). 
  2. ^ SPL prepares for season extension
  3. ^ Motherwell captain O'Donnell dies BBC Sport. Retrieved on 29 December 2007
  4. ^ "St. Mirren 2-0 Gretna", BBC Sport (2008-03-29). Retrieved on 2008-03-29. 
  5. ^ "Hamilton Accies 2-0 Clyde", BBC Sport (2008-04-19). Retrieved on 2008-04-19. 
  6. ^ "Dundee United 0-1 Celtic", BBC Sport (2008-05-22). Retrieved on 2008-05-22. 
  7. ^ "Gretna demoted to Division Three", BBC Sport (2008-05-29). Retrieved on 2008-05-29. 
  8. ^ a b "Gretna resign from Scottish Football League", The Times (2008-06-02). Retrieved on 2008-06-02. 
  9. ^ "Crisis-hit Gretna facing uncertain future", The Times (2008-03-13). 
  10. ^ BBC Sport (2008-04-01). "Gretna return 'home' to Fir Park". Retrieved on 2008-04-01.
  11. ^ "Hearts confirm Frail's departure", BBC Sport (2008-07-09). Retrieved on 2008-07-12. 
  12. ^ "Hearts appoint Laszlo as manager", BBC Sport (2008-07-11). Retrieved on 2008-07-12. 

Aberdeen | Celtic | Dundee United | Falkirk | Hamilton Academical | Heart of Midlothian | Hibernian |
Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Kilmarnock | Motherwell | Rangers | St. Mirren
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