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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Ross McCrorie snubs Celtic guard of honour prior to Aberdeen clash

Ross McCrorie cheekily snubbed Aberdeen's guard of honour for Celtic this afternoon ahead of the final Premiership contest of the season.

Barry Robson's side lined up to salute the champions at Parkhead prior to kick-off and the Dons players could be seen applauding the Hoops.

One exception though was former Rangers man McCrorie who stood with his hands firmly behind his back as Callum McGregor led his team out for kick-off.

Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu both struck twice as Celtic signed off their Premiership season with a thumping 5-0 home win against Aberdeen in a carnival atmosphere.

Two clinical first-half finishes from Japan striker Furuhashi gave the Celtic Park party further impetus after Postecoglou’s side had been presented with the league trophy before kick-off.

Sweden centre-half Carl Starfelt added a third in the closing stages and South Korea striker Oh’s late double had Celtic Park bouncing as the Bhoys celebrated their 11th league title in 12 years.

Furuhashi extended his league goals tally to 27 for the season, but he and right-back Alastair Johnston were later withdrawn through injury to give Celtic cause for concern before next week’s Scottish FA Cup final.

Postecoglou’s side face Inverness at Hampden Park on Saturday in pursuit of a fifth domestic treble in seven seasons.

Meanwhile, Michael Beale insists fans will see a new Rangers side next season – but insists this current version was not broken despite a trophyless campaign.

The Light Blues concluded their cinch Premiership season with a comfortable 3-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley, thanks to a double from Fashion Sakala and a third from substitute Antonio Colak.

Rangers were already consigned to second place behind treble-chasing Celtic and after 38 fixtures, ended with 92 points, seven behind the Hoops.

Since sporting director Ross Wilson left the Ibrox club in April, the former Gers assistant coach, who took over from Giovanni Van Bronckhorst in November, has been more involved in recruitment with Norwich midfielder Kieran Dowell’s pre-contract signing the first of several to come, while the departures of Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Scott Arfield and Filip Helander have been confirmed.

“Probably the last five or six weeks have been the busiest I’ve ever been,” said Beale. “I’m not shocked by anything in the job or demands.

“I was used to it here before but the added responsibility and added time off the pitch, managing other areas and doing recruitment, it’s been busy.

“I’m glad the end of season is here if I am honest. But we’re really in a good place. We’re waiting for one or two things to be signed off then we’ll start seeing a new Rangers team come together.

“Albeit, we’ve got over 90 points this season which, someone will tell me, but I don’t think we have done that too often in the last 15 or 20 years. When we have, we generally have won the league.”

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