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1998–99 Scottish Premier League

93rd season of top-tier football league in Scotland

93rd season of top-tier football league in Scotland

FieldValue
competitionScottish Premier League
season1998–99
dates1 August 1998 – 23 May 1999
winnersRangers
1st Premier League title
48th Scottish title
promotedDundee
relegatedDunfermline Athletic
continentalcup1Champions League
continentalcup1 qualifiersRangers
continentalcup2UEFA Cup
continentalcup2 qualifiersCeltic (via [Scottish Cup](1998-99-scottish-cup))
St Johnstone
Kilmarnock (via Fair Play)
league topscorerHenrik Larsson (29)
matches180
total goals471
highest scoringMotherwell 1–7 Celtic (21 February)
biggest home winCeltic 6–1 Dundee (7 November)
Rangers 6–1 Dundee (20 February)
biggest away winSt Johnstone 0–7 Rangers (8 November)
highest attendance60,092, Celtic v St Johnstone (31 January)
lowest attendance3,532, Dunfermline Athletic v Motherwell (23 May)
average attendance18,577 ([[Image:Green Arrow Up Darker.svg12px]]541)
prevseason[1997–98](1997-98-scottish-premier-division) *(Premier Division)*
nextseason[1999–2000](1999-2000-scottish-premier-league)

1st Premier League title 48th Scottish title St Johnstone Kilmarnock (via Fair Play) Rangers 6–1 Dundee (20 February) The 1998–99 Scottish Premier League season (also known as the 1998–99 Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League for sponsorship reasons from 11 March) was the inaugural season of Scottish Premier League football, the top division of Scottish football. It began on 1 August 1998 and concluded on 23 May 1999.

The league was made up of the ten clubs that broke away from the Scottish Football League at the end of the 1997–98 season. Celtic went into the season as the defending Scottish champions, having won the 1997–98 Scottish Premier Division.

Rangers won the title with 3 matches still to play on 2 May 1999, after defeating Old Firm rivals Celtic 3–0 in controversial circumstances at Celtic Park. Three players were red-carded during the game and referee Hugh Dallas was struck by a coin thrown by a Celtic supporter and required treatment from paramedics on the field.

Teams

On 8 September 1997, the clubs in the Premier Division decided to split from the Scottish Football League and form a Scottish Premier League (SPL). This followed an earlier example in England, which came into force during the 1992–93 season. This decision was fuelled by a desire by the top clubs in Scotland to retain more of the revenue generated by the game. Originally, league sponsorship money was divided proportionally between clubs in all four divisions. After the SPL was formed, its clubs retained all of its commercial revenues except for an annual payment to the SFL and a parachute payment to relegated clubs.

The new league followed the same format as the previous season's Premier Division, with the ten clubs playing each other four times, twice at home and twice away. Hibernian were relegated to the First Division after finishing bottom of the 1997–98 Scottish Premier Division. They were replaced by Dundee, the champions of the previous season's First Division.

Stadia and locations

AberdeenCelticDundeeDundee UnitedDunfermline AthleticHeart of MidlothianKilmarnockMotherwellRangersSt Johnstone
Pittodrie StadiumCeltic ParkDens Park
Capacity: **20,866**Capacity: **60,411**Capacity: **11,506**
[[File:Pittodrie from Block Y, May 2015.jpg200px]][[File:CelticPark.JPG200px]][[File:Dens stand.jpg200px]]
Tannadice ParkEast End ParkTynecastle Park
Capacity: **14,223**Capacity: **11,480**Capacity: **18,008**
[[File:East Stand Tannadice.jpg200px]][[File:East End Park from Norrie McCathie stand.jpg200px]][[File:Tynecastle Stadium 2007.jpg200px]]
Rugby ParkFir Park
Capacity: **17,889**Capacity: **13,677**
[[File:Rugby Park.jpg200px]][[File:Fir Park, Motherwell. - geograph.org.uk - 219204.jpg200px]]
Ibrox StadiumMcDiarmid Park
Capacity: **50,817**Capacity: **10,696**
[[File:Ibrox Inside.jpg200px]][[File:McDiarmid Park.jpg200px]]

Personnel and kits

TeamManagerKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
AberdeenScotland Paul Hegarty *(caretaker)*PumaAtlantic Telecom
CelticSlovakia Jozef Venglošurl=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Celtic/Celtic.htmtitle=Celticpublisher=Historical Football Kitsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Umbro
DundeeScotland Jocky Scotturl=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dundee/Dundee.htmtitle=Dundeepublisher=Historical Football Kitsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Scottish Hydro Electric
Dundee UnitedScotland Paul Sturrockurl=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dundee_United/Dundee_United.htmtitle=Dundee Unitedpublisher=Historical Football Kitsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Telewest
Dunfermline AthleticScotland Dick Campbellurl=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dunfermline_Athletic/Dunfermline_Athletic.htmtitle=Dunfermline Athleticpublisher=Historical Football Kitsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Landmark
Heart of MidlothianScotland Jim Jefferiesurl=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Heart_of_Midlothian/Heart_of_Midlothian.htmtitle=Heart of Midlothianpublisher=Historical Football Kitsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Strongbow
KilmarnockScotland Bobby WilliamsonPumaSports Division
MotherwellScotland Billy Daviesurl=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Motherwell/Motherwell.htmtitle=Motherwellpublisher=Historical Football Kitsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Motorola
RangersNetherlands Dick AdvocaatNikeMcEwan's
St JohnstoneScotland Sandy Clarkurl=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/St_Johnstone/St_Johnstone.htmtitle=St Johnstonepublisher=Historical Football Kitsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Scottish Hydro Electric

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerDate of vacancyManner of departurePosition in tableIncoming managerDate of appointment
CelticNetherlands Wim Jansenurl=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/91169.stmtitle=Jansen quits Celticdate=11 May 1998work=BBC Newsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Resigned*Pre-season*Slovakia Jozef Venglošurl=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/134664.stmtitle=Celtic appoints new coachdate=17 July 1998work=BBC Newsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}
RangersScotland Walter Smithurl=http://www.scotzine.com/legends-of-scotland/walter-smith/title=Walter Smithpublisher=Scotzineaccess-date=6 February 2018}}RetiredNetherlands Dick Advocaaturl=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/57264.stmtitle=Dutch boss to take over at Ibroxwork=BBC Newsaccess-date=6 February 2018}}
Dundee UnitedScotland Tommy McLean5 September 1998Mutual consent9thScotland Paul Sturrock5 September 1998
St JohnstoneScotland Paul Sturrock5 September 1998Signed by Dundee United8thScotland Sandy Clark7 September 1998
MotherwellFinland Harri Kampman4 October 1998Resigned8thScotland Billy Daviesurl=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12254900.Davies_to_replace_Kampman_at_Fir_Park/title=Davies to replace Kampman at Fir Parknewspaper=The Heraldaccess-date=6 February 2018}}
AberdeenScotland Alex Millerurl=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-miller-departure-was-mutual-1190301.htmlarchive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-miller-departure-was-mutual-1190301.htmlarchive-date=2022-05-01url-access=subscriptiontitle=Miller departure was 'mutual'work=The Independentaccess-date=6 February 2018}}Mutual consent10thScotland Paul Hegarty *(caretaker)*url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/dec/28/newsstory.sporttitle=Hegarty's hopes of Aberdeen job are higher with each victorywork=The Guardianaccess-date=6 February 2018}}
Dunfermline AthleticScotland Bert Paton6 January 1999Resigned10thScotland Dick Campbellurl=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/mar/22/newsstory.sport5title=Hearts sinkwork=The Guardianaccess-date=6 February 2018}}

Overview

The 1998–99 Scottish Premier League season ended in success for Rangers who, managed by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, won the title by six points from nearest rivals Celtic. Dunfermline Athletic were relegated after three seasons in the top division. As champions, Rangers qualified for the Champions League while Celtic were joined by St Johnstone in qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Fourth placed Kilmarnock also gained a UEFA Cup place via the UEFA Fair Play ranking.[[Image:Kanchelskis Andrei.jpg|thumb|right|130px|The £5.5m transfer of [[Andrei Kanchelskis]] to Rangers set a new Scottish transfer record.]]

The season began on 1 August 1998 with the first SPL goal scored by Aberdeen's Eoin Jess as they defeated newly promoted Dundee 2–0 at Dens Park. Also on the first day of the season, Craig Burley scored the SPL's first hat-trick as defending champions Celtic defeated Dunfermline Athletic 5–0 at Celtic Park.

1998–99 saw the introduction of a three-week break during January, which was well received by both players and managers. In its inaugural year, the SPL was broadcast to over 120 countries worldwide, while attendances increased and more money was invested in youth development than ever before. A new Scottish transfer record was also set as Rangers paid Fiorentina £5.5m for former Manchester United and Everton winger Andrei Kanchelskis.

Rangers clinched the SPL title on 2 May 1999 by beating Old Firm-rivals Celtic 3–0 at Celtic Park. Three players were red-carded during the game and referee Hugh Dallas was struck by a coin thrown by a Celtic supporter and required treatment from paramedics on the field.

Dunfermline Athletic were relegated to the Scottish First Division on 8 May 1999 after a 2–1 defeat to Celtic at East End Park.

League table

Results

Matches 1–18

During matches 1–18 each team plays every other team twice (home and away).

Matches 19–36

During matches 19–36 each team plays every other team a further two times (home and away).

Top scorers

PlayerGoalsTeam
SWE Henrik Larsson29Celtic
ENG Rod Wallace19Rangers
SCO Billy Dodds16Dundee United
SCO Eoin Jess14Aberdeen
SCO Robbie Winters13Aberdeen
SCO Gary McSwegan11Hearts
GER Jörg AlbertzRangers
SCO Craig Burley9Celtic
SCO Eddie AnnandDundee
FRA Stéphane AdamHearts
SCO Neil McCann8Hearts
SCO Mark BurchillCeltic
SCO Andy SmithDunfermline Athletic

Source: SPL official website

Awards

  • Player awards
AwardWinnerClub
PFA Players' Player of the YearSWECeltic
PFA Young Player of the YearSCORangers
SFWA Footballer of the YearSWECeltic
  • Manager awards
AwardWinnerClub
SFWA Manager of the YearNEDRangers

Attendances

The average attendances for SPL clubs during the 1998–99 season are shown below:

TeamAverage
Celtic59,233
Rangers49,094
Hearts14,232
Aberdeen12,713
Kilmarnock11,184
Dundee United9,187
Motherwell8,533
Dunfermline Athletic7,375
Dundee7,178
St Johnstone7,038

Source: SPL official website

References

References

  1. (1999-03-11). "Scottish sponsorship deal is defended". [[The Independent]].
  2. (1999-05-03). "Rangers make history out of chaos". [[BBC News]].
  3. "Aberdeen Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  4. "Celtic Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  5. "Dundee Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  6. "Dundee United Academical Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  7. "Dunfermline Athletic Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  8. "Heart of Midlothian Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  9. "Kilmarnock Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  10. "Motherwell Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  11. "Rangers Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  12. "St Johnstone Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
  13. "Aberdeen". Historical Football Kits.
  14. "Celtic". Historical Football Kits.
  15. "Dundee". Historical Football Kits.
  16. "Dundee United". Historical Football Kits.
  17. "Dunfermline Athletic". Historical Football Kits.
  18. "Heart of Midlothian". Historical Football Kits.
  19. "Kilmarnock". Historical Football Kits.
  20. "Motherwell". Historical Football Kits.
  21. "Rangers". Historical Football Kits.
  22. "St Johnstone". Historical Football Kits.
  23. (11 May 1998). "Jansen quits Celtic". [[BBC News]].
  24. (17 July 1998). "Celtic appoints new coach". [[BBC News]].
  25. "Walter Smith". Scotzine.
  26. "Dutch boss to take over at Ibrox". [[BBC News]].
  27. "Davies to replace Kampman at Fir Park". [[The Herald (Glasgow).
  28. "Miller departure was 'mutual'". [[The Independent]].
  29. "Hegarty's hopes of Aberdeen job are higher with each victory". [[The Guardian]].
  30. "Hearts sink". [[The Guardian]].
  31. "Season Review - 1998-1999". spfl.co.uk.
  32. (1998-07-15). "Kanchelskis move to Rangers". [[BBC News]].
  33. "1999-05-08: Dunfermline 1-2 Celtic, Premier League". The Celtic Wiki.
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