CELTIC No.2 John Collins took time off from celebrating his side’s fourth successive title win to praise Aberdeen.
The Hoops assistant boss was at home when he heard the news that the Dons had lost 1-0 to Dundee United at Tannadice in their make-or-break confrontation.
It handed the champions the flag with Ronny Deila’s men sitting on 85 points, 11 ahead of Derek McInnes’ outfit with three games to go.
Collins sportingly said: “Obviously, it’s great news and we have had a terrific few months with the boys playing ever so well.
“And I think we definitely deserve to win the league.
“All credit, though, to Aberdeen. As the weeks have been going by, they’ve been picking up points and pushing us.
“To be honest, I thought they would tail off, but, as every game went by, they kept getting good results to put us under a bit of pressure.
“We kept having to respond and the boys have done that.
“In fact, as the months went by, I think our performances got better and better.
“Now I am going to enjoy the moment and have a minor celebration drink.
“But in this game you have always got to be constantly planning ahead.
“We’ve got three matches to go, starting with a big one against the Dons at Pittodrie next week.
“Okay, we’ve won the league, but no matter what anyone says, it will still be a big game at their place.
“They will be desperate to beat us and, of course, we will be equally desperate to finish off on a high.
“So, we look forward to this match and then we’ve got a couple of games left to round things off.
“Maybe then we can rest some of the experienced players and give some of the young boys a chance.
“I’ll be talking to Ronny, who is, course, in Norway for a huge day with his family.
“I’m sure he’ll enjoy that, but today’s news will make it extra special for him, no doubt about it.”
