Rampant Celtic wins Scottish title in style

Celtic: Celebrating title at Rugby Park

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -Celtic clinched the Scottish Premier League title in style on Saturday, thrashing Kilmarnock 6-0 to reclaim the championship from fierce rival Rangers with a month of the season remaining.

Neil Lennon's side needed a point at Rugby Park to claim a first title since 2008 and 43rd overall. A double from Charlie Mulgrew and other first-half goals by Glenn Loovens and Gary Hooper ensured celebrations could start before halftime.

Late strikes by Joe Ledley and Hooper added gloss to an easy win.

"It's the best day of my professional life,'' Celtic manager Neil Lennon said. "It's been a long time coming. It's been two years in the waiting. I'm so proud of them. They deserve it.

"We have been the best team in Scotland by a long way and we have finished it in the right way.''

Celtic's players donned T-shirts that read, "This is just the beginning'' as they walked a lap of honor.

Celtic's passage to the title was cleared by second-place Rangers being docked 10 points in February for going into administration - a form of bankruptcy protection.

Celtic holds a 21-point lead ahead of Rangers' match against St. Mirren later Saturday. (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)