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Celtic to play for league title in Motherwell match

Celtic can secure a fourth Scottish Premier League title in five seasons today if it wins at Motherwell.

If it slips up, Glasgow rival Rangers could claim the championship with victory at Hibernian.

With Celtic two points ahead, it's the second time in three seasons the title will be decided on the final day. A draw for Celtic would mean Rangers could overtake with victory because of its better goal difference.

"We shouldn't have lost as many points as we have done," Rangers striker Steven Thompson said. "If we hadn't, we would be sitting in Celtic's position.

"I think there is very little between the two teams. I think that has been proved in the Old Firm games."

Celtic and Rangers each have three wins from six meetings this season.

Celtic's Martin O'Neill, the longest serving manager in the Scottish Premier League, said he planned to strengthen the team irrespective of whether it wins the championship.

"This team are very, very close to seeing it through with silverware this season but they need help more than ever before and I think that will be forthcoming in the summer," O'Neill said.

eye on bellamy

One target is Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy, who has scored nine goals since joining on loan since January.

"He has become a big hero and he has earned that with his performances," O'Neill said. "He is capable of producing that for the next four in five years."

Bellamy's future isn't the only one being discussed. O'Neill played down speculation he may leave in the offseason.

"These five years have been pretty decent and there's as good a chance of me being here than not," O'Neill said. "But if you are asking if I will be leaving to go to another football club then the answer would be no."

His Rangers counterpart, Alex McLeish, said his club was hoping for a repeat of 2003, where it edged Celtic for the title on the final day.

"Celtic have got a nucleus of players who have been there for a long spell and we have rebuilt our team this season," McLeish said.

"We have exceeded some people's expectations -- but not our own."

It's 20 years since Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen won the championship -- the last club other than Celtic or Rangers to do so.

Rangers has 50 titles, Celtic 38, and Aberdeen, Hibernian and Hearts -- the next most successful -- have four.

Rangers won this season's Scottish League Cup, while Celtic plays Dundee United in the May 28 Scottish Cup final.
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