2004–05 Scottish Premier League
The 2004–05 Scottish Premier League was won by Rangers, who claimed the title on the final day of the season by a single point from Celtic, who had gone into the final fixtures leading and were still ahead in the closing minutes of their last game against Motherwell until they conceded two goals (both scored by striker Scott McDonald), costing them the title with Rangers winning their match against Hibernian in Edinburgh. The dramatic events became known in popular culture as 'Helicopter Sunday' due to the aircraft ceremonially delivering the championship trophy changing direction in mid-flight as the identity of its winners altered suddenly.
| Season | 2004–05 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 6 August 2004 – 21 May 2005 |
| Champions | Rangers 4th Premier League title 51st Scottish title |
| Champions League | Rangers Celtic |
| UEFA Cup | Hibernian Dundee United |
| Intertoto Cup | None |
| Matches played | 228 |
| Goals scored | 595 (2.61 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | John Hartson (25) |
| Biggest home win | Celtic 6–0 Dunfermline (12 March) |
| Biggest away win | Livingston 0–4 Celtic (13 April) |
← 2003–04 2005–06 → | |
As league champions, Rangers qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage, with runners-up Celtic also qualifying to the third qualifying round. Third-placed Hibernian qualified for the UEFA Cup, as did Dundee United, who took the Scottish Cup place despite losing the final to Celtic.
Dundee were relegated, and Scottish First Division winners Falkirk were promoted.
John Hartson was the top scorer with 25 goals for Celtic, whose manager Martin O'Neill stepped down at the end of the season after five years and a host of major trophies.