The 2004/05 Scottish Premier League season remains one of the most nerve-shredding and exciting final days of a campaign that continues to live long in the memory of the royal blue half of Glasgow.
The destination of the title in Scotland had gone right down to the wire on five previous occasions, with Rangers prevailing in 2003, 2009 and in 2011 while Celtic ran out last-day winners in 2008. The title was won rather than lost on those occasions.
The dramatic events which unfolded on of May 22, 2005 became known as ‘Helicopter Sunday’ due to the aircraft changing direction in mid-flight as the identity of the trophy’s winners altered suddenly.
Alex McLeish took his Rangers side through to Edinburgh for a match against Hibernian at Easter Road requiring a victory to give themselves an outside chance of winning the title, while Martin O’Neill’s Celtic arrived in North Lanarkshire to face Motherwell as league leaders.
A grandstand finish would leave both sets of supporters on tenterhooks, eagerly awaiting news and reguarly refreshing phones to learn their team’s fate. In the end, it was Rangers who clinched the silverware by a solitary point - their 51st Scottish title.
Here, GlasgowWorld looks back on the twists and turns of that thrilling final day 18 years ago...
9. Disbelieving Bellamy processes outcome
Celtic had let the silverware slip from their grasp from a leading position and there was no consoling a shattered Craig Bellamy as he slumps to the Fir Park turf in disappointment. | Getty Images
10. Novo leads the celebrations
The travelling Rangers supporters celebrated wildly after invading the pitch at full-time in the Capital, with goal scorer Novo among those taking the acclaim from jubilant fans. | Getty Images
11. ‘How did we throw that away?’
One Celtic fan holds his head in his hands in utter disbelief after watching his team throw away the trophy. Martin O’Neill and his players knew they only had themselves to blame. | Getty Images
12. Party time for Gers at Easter Road
The helicopter pilot had to make an abrupt U-turn and hot-foot it through to Edinburgh as the Light Blues squad revelled in their unexpected triumph. Here is the moment captain Fernando Ricksen hoisted the trophy aloft. | Getty Images