GLASGOW, April 22: Australian striker David Zdrilic ended champions Celtic's hopes of completing the Scottish league season unbeaten when he struck an injury-time goal for Aberdeen in a 2-1 victory at Parkhead on Wednesday.
Aberdeen also became the first side to win at Celtic since Ajax Amsterdam in a Champions League qualifier in August 2001 thereby ending the Glasgow side's 77-match unbeaten home run.
Aberdeen have 34 points from 33 matches and cannot now be caught by bottom club Partick Thistle. Swedish striker Henrik Larsson sped clear to slip home his 36th goal of the season on 15 minutes for Celtic, who clinched their third title in four years under Northern Irish manager Martin O'Neill after Sunday's 1-0 win at Kilmarnock.
But a young Aberdeen side - second-from-bottom of the table coming into the match and with five teenagers in their squad - fought doggedly to level after 56 minutes. Goalkeeper David Marshall failed to hold the ball and former Celtic striker Bryan Prunty converted Scott Muirhead's cross.
Celtic piled on the pressure in the closing stages but could not find a winner themselves. Muirhead might have snatched the victory when he hammered the ball over before Zdrilic finished off the champions on the counter attack deep into injury time.
Celtic stay 16 points ahead of Rangers, who can only earn 15 more points with five games to play, and can complete the double if they beat Dunfermline Athletic in the Cup final on May 22.
Celtic's Glasgow rivals Rangers remain the last side to go through a league season unbeaten when they achioeved the feat more than 100 years ago in 1898/99. -Reuters
