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2000–01 Scottish Premier League
95th season of top-tier football league in Scotland
95th season of top-tier football league in Scotland
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| competition | Scottish Premier League | |
| season | 2000–01 | |
| dates | 29 July 2000 – 20 May 2001 | |
| winners | Celtic | |
| 1st Premier League title | ||
| 37th Scottish title | ||
| relegated | St Mirren | |
| continentalcup1 | Champions League | |
| continentalcup1 qualifiers | Celtic | |
| Rangers | ||
| continentalcup2 | UEFA Cup | |
| continentalcup2 qualifiers | Hibernian | |
| Kilmarnock | ||
| continentalcup3 | Intertoto Cup | |
| continentalcup3 qualifiers | Dundee | |
| league topscorer | Henrik Larsson (35) | |
| matches | 228 | |
| total goals | 605 | |
| highest scoring | Celtic 6–2 Rangers (27 August) | |
| Dundee United 3–5 Aberdeen (23 September) | ||
| Hibernian 6–2 Hearts (22 October) | ||
| Rangers 7–1 St Mirren (4 November) | ||
| Hearts 7–1 Dunfermline Athletic (24 February) | ||
| biggest home win | Rangers 7–1 St Mirren (4 November) | |
| Celtic 6–0 Aberdeen (16 December) | ||
| Celtic 6–0 Kilmarnock (2 January) | ||
| Hearts 7–1 Dunfermline Athletic (24 February) | ||
| biggest away win | Dundee United 0–4 Celtic (26 December) | |
| Dundee United 0–4 Hearts (14 October) | ||
| highest attendance | 60,440, Celtic 1–0 St Mirren (7 April) | |
| lowest attendance | 2,610, Dunfermline Athletic 1–2 Motherwell (12 May) | |
| average attendance | 15,905 ([[Image:Red Arrow Down.svg | 12px]] 2,089) |
| prevseason | [1999–2000](1999-2000-scottish-premier-league) | |
| nextseason | [2001–02](2001-02-scottish-premier-league) |
1st Premier League title 37th Scottish title Rangers Kilmarnock Dundee United 3–5 Aberdeen (23 September) Hibernian 6–2 Hearts (22 October) Rangers 7–1 St Mirren (4 November) Hearts 7–1 Dunfermline Athletic (24 February) Celtic 6–0 Aberdeen (16 December) Celtic 6–0 Kilmarnock (2 January) Hearts 7–1 Dunfermline Athletic (24 February) Dundee United 0–4 Hearts (14 October)
The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League (known as the 2000–01 Bank of Scotland Premier League for sponsorship reasons) was the third season of the Scottish Premier League, the top level of football in Scotland. It began on 29 July 2000 and concluded on 20 May 2001.
Rangers were the defending champions.
Celtic finished the season as league champions by a 15-point margin over Rangers, also winning both of the domestic cups to complete a domestic treble, in their first season under the management of Martin O'Neill.
Changes from 1999–2000 season
2000–01 saw the Scottish Premier League (SPL) expanded from 10 to 12 clubs, which was part of the agreement reached between the clubs in the SPL and the Scottish Football League when the top-tier clubs broke away in 1998.
With the expansion of the league, the league 'split' was introduced to avoid the need for clubs to play 44 fixtures in a season, which would be the case if the quadruple round-robin format of the previous season was followed. Instead, after 33 rounds of matches, by which time all clubs had played each other three times, the league split into a 'top six' and 'bottom six' with clubs only competing against teams within their own section for the final five fixtures. Points achieved during the first phase of 33 matches were carried forward to the second phase but after the first phase was completed, clubs cannot move out of their own section in the league, even if they achieved more or fewer points than a higher or lower ranked team, respectively. The new format received widespread criticism from SPL managers.
Results in European competition over the previous five years saw the league move up from 21st to 15th in the UEFA country coefficient ranking. This meant that the league was granted an additional berth in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds for the following season.
Teams
Twelve clubs competed in the league, all of the participants in the 1999–2000 Scottish Premier League and the top two clubs in the 1999–2000 Scottish First Division. A play-off was due to take place between the bottom club of the Premier League (Aberdeen) and the second- and third-placed club of the First Division (Dunfermline Athletic and Falkirk, respectively), but as Falkirk's stadium did not meet the minimum SPL seating requirements, this play-off did not take place, and Aberdeen and Dunfermline were automatically placed in the Premier League.
St Mirren were promoted to the league as champions of the 1999–2000 First Division, securing the championship on 29 April 2000 with a 3–0 victory over Raith Rovers at Love Street. This was to be their first season at the top level of Scottish football since 1991–92.
Stadia and locations
| Aberdeen | Celtic | Dundee | Dundee United | Dunfermline Athletic | Heart of Midlothian | Hibernian | Kilmarnock | Motherwell | Rangers | St Johnstone | St Mirren | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittodrie Stadium | Celtic Park | Dens Park | Tannadice Park | |||||||||||||
| Capacity: **20,866** | Capacity: **60,411** | Capacity: **11,506** | Capacity: **14,223** | |||||||||||||
| [[File:Pittodrie from Block Y, May 2015.jpg | 200px]] | [[File:CelticPark.JPG | 200px]] | [[File:Dens stand.jpg | 200px]] | [[File:East Stand Tannadice.jpg | 200px]] | |||||||||
| {{Location map+ | Scotland Central Belt | width=400 | float=center | caption=Location of teams in 2000–01 Scottish Premier League | places= | |||||||||||
| East End Park | Tynecastle Park | |||||||||||||||
| Capacity: **12,509** | Capacity: **17,420** | |||||||||||||||
| [[File:East End Park from Norrie McCathie stand.jpg | 200px]] | [[File:Tynecastle Stadium 2007.jpg | 200px]] | |||||||||||||
| Easter Road | Rugby Park | |||||||||||||||
| Capacity: **16,531** | Capacity: **17,889** | |||||||||||||||
| [[File:Easter Road 2010.JPG | 200px]] | [[File:Rugby Park.jpg | 200px]] | |||||||||||||
| Fir Park | Ibrox Stadium | McDiarmid Park | Love Street | |||||||||||||
| Capacity: **13,677** | Capacity: **50,817** | Capacity: **10,696** | Capacity: **10,800** | |||||||||||||
| [[File:Fir Park, Motherwell. - geograph.org.uk - 219204.jpg | 200px]] | [[File:Ibrox Inside.jpg | 200px]] | [[File:McDiarmid Park.jpg | 200px]] | [[File:Mainstand.JPG | 200px]] |
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager | Kit manufacturer | Kit sponsor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Denmark Ebbe Skovdahl | Puma | Atlantic Telecom | |||
| Celtic | Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Celtic/Celtic.htm | title=Celtic | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | ntl: |
| Dundee | Italy Ivano Bonetti | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dundee/Dundee.htm | title=Dundee | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Ceramic Tile Warehouse |
| Dundee United | Scotland Alex Smith | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dundee_United/Dundee_United.htm | title=Dundee United | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Telewest |
| Dunfermline Athletic | Scotland Jimmy Calderwood | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Dunfermline_Athletic/Dunfermline_Athletic.htm | title=Dunfermline Athletic | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Auto Windscreens |
| Heart of Midlothian | Scotland Craig Levein | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Heart_of_Midlothian/Heart_of_Midlothian.htm | title=Heart of Midlothian | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Strongbow |
| Hibernian | Scotland Alex McLeish | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Hibernian/hibernian.htm | title=Hibernian | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Carlsberg |
| Kilmarnock | Scotland Bobby Williamson | Puma | scotlandonline.com | |||
| Motherwell | Scotland Billy Davies | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Motherwell/Motherwell.htm | title=Motherwell | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Motorola |
| Rangers | Netherlands Dick Advocaat | Nike | ntl: | |||
| St Johnstone | Scotland Sandy Clark | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/St_Johnstone/St_Johnstone.htm | title=St Johnstone | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Scottish Hydro Electric |
| St Mirren | Scotland Tom Hendrie | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/St_Mirren/St_Mirren.htm | title=St Mirren | publisher=Historical Football Kits | access-date=6 February 2018}} | LDV Group |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Date of vacancy | Manner of departure | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic | Scotland Kenny Dalglish | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/773512.stm | title=O'Neill unveiled as Celtic boss | date=1 June 2000 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Caretaker spell ended | *Pre-season* | Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill | 1 June 2000 | ||||
| Dundee | Scotland Jocky Scott | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/12/newsstory.sport2 | title=Dundee turn to Bonetti brothers | date=12 May 2000 | work=The Guardian | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Contract expired | Italy Ivano Bonetti | 10 July 2000 | |||||
| Dundee United | Scotland Paul Sturrock | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/868507.stm | title=Sturrock's United days are over | publisher=BBC News | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Resigned | 12th | Scotland Alex Smith | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12241147.Smith_apos_s_managerial_zest_as_strong_as_ever_31_years_on_Sacked_by_St_Mirren_and_Aberdeen__Alex_Smith_feels_privileged_to_be_back_in_the__front_line_with_Dundee_United_doing_a_job__that_apos_s_in_his_blood/ | title=Smith's managerial zest as strong as ever 31 years on | publisher=The Herald | access-date=6 February 2018}} | ||
| Heart of Midlothian | Scotland Jim Jefferies | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/1014079.stm | title=Jefferies stands down as Hearts boss | date=9 November 2000 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=6 February 2018}} | Mutual consent | 5th | Scotland Craig Levein | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/1049729.stm | title=Hearts unveil Levein as new coach | date=1 December 2000 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=6 February 2018}} |
Overview
The 2000–01 title was won by Celtic – their first SPL title, and their first Scottish title since winning the 1997–98 Premier Division – in Martin O'Neill's first season as manager of the club. Celtic also went on to win the 2000–01 Scottish Cup and the 2000–01 Scottish League Cup, completing a domestic treble. Henrik Larsson won the 2000–01 European Golden Shoe for his goalscoring, scoring 35 league goals and 53 goals in all competitions over the course of the season. The 35 goals Larsson scored in the league this season was a Scottish Premier League record.
Defending champions Rangers finished second, 15 points behind their Old Firm-rivals. Celtic secured their title on 7 April 2001, with a 1–0 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park. The aforementioned match had the highest attendance of any match in SPL history. As champions, Celtic qualified for the Champions League, as did second-placed Rangers. Third-placed Hibernian and fourth-placed Kilmarnock qualified for the UEFA Cup, while Dundee became the first SPL club – and the first Scottish club since Partick Thistle in 1995 – to qualify for the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
The record for the highest transfer fee ever paid by a Scottish club was broken twice over the course of the season. Firstly, by Chris Sutton's transfer from Chelsea to Celtic on 10 July 2000 for £6 million. Then, on 23 November 2000, the £12 million fee paid by Rangers to Chelsea for Tore André Flo became the highest transfer fee ever paid by a Scottish club, and is a record which still stands as of 2025. The signing of Claudio Caniggia for Dundee in October 2000 was also seen by many as a major coup for the club, and was just one of many signings of international players made under the management of Ivano Bonetti.
St Mirren were relegated in what was their debut season in the SPL and their first appearance in Scotland's top division since 1991–92. Their relegation was mathematically confirmed on the final day of the season with a 3–3 draw against Motherwell, leaving them five points below 11th-placed Dundee United.
League table
Results
Matches 1–22
During matches 1–22 each team played every other team twice (home and away).
Matches 23–33
During matches 23–33 each team played every other team once (either at home or away). This means that during matches 1-33 each team played every other team 3 times (either 1 home, 2 away or 2 home, 1 away).
Matches 34–38
During matches 34–38 each team played every other team in their half of the table once (either at home or away).
Top six
Bottom Six
Top scorers
| Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| SWE Henrik Larsson | Celtic | 35 |
| NOR Arild Stavrum | Aberdeen | 17 |
| ARG Juan Sara | Dundee | 15 |
| NIR Andy Kirk | Hearts | 13 |
| NIR Stuart Elliott | Motherwell | 12 |
| SCO Colin Cameron | Hearts | 12 |
| NOR Tore André Flo | Rangers | 11 |
| FIN Mixu Paatelainen | Hibernian | 11 |
| ENG Chris Sutton | Celtic | 11 |
| FRA David Zitelli | Hibernian | 10 |
| SCO Ricky Gillies | St Mirren | 10 |
| SCO Keigan Parker | St Johnstone | 10 |
Source: SPL official website
Attendances
The average attendances for SPL clubs during the 2000/01 season are shown below:
| Team | Average |
|---|---|
| Celtic | 59,369 |
| Rangers | 47,532 |
| Hearts | 12,771 |
| Aberdeen | 12,403 |
| Hibernian | 10,792 |
| Kilmarnock | 8,223 |
| Dundee | 8,041 |
| Dundee United | 7,829 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 6,413 |
| Motherwell | 6,208 |
| St Mirren | 5,838 |
| St Johnstone | 5,438 |
Source: SPL official website
Awards
Monthly awards
Main article: Scottish Premier League monthly awards
| Month | Manager | Player |
|---|---|---|
| August | Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill (Celtic) | Scotland Andy McLaren (Kilmarnock) |
| September | Scotland Bobby Williamson (Kilmarnock) | Sweden Henrik Larsson (Celtic) |
| October | Scotland Alex McLeish (Hibernian) | Finland Mixu Paatelainen (Hibernian) |
| November | Scotland Billy Davies (Motherwell) | Scotland Barry Ferguson (Rangers) |
| December | Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill (Celtic) | Sweden Henrik Larsson (Celtic) |
| January | *None awarded due to winter break.* | |
| February | Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill (Celtic) | Argentina Claudio Caniggia (Dundee) |
| March | Scotland Alex Smith (Dundee United) | Northern Ireland Neil Lennon (Celtic) |
| April | Scotland Tom Hendrie (St Mirren) | Finland Antti Niemi (Hearts) |
| May | Scotland Alex Smith (Dundee United) | Germany Jörg Albertz (Rangers) |
Awards
- Player awards
| Award | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| PFA Players' Player of the Year | SWE | Celtic |
| PFA Young Player of the Year | BUL | Celtic |
| SFWA Footballer of the Year | SWE | Celtic |
- Manager awards
| Award | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| SFWA Manager of the Year | NIR | Celtic |
References
References
- "Season review 2000/01". [[Scottish Professional Football League]].
- Mullaney, Paul. (8 April 2013). "Scottish Premier League: In Defence of the Split".
- (31 March 2001). "Guide to the SPL split". [[BBC Sport]].
- (9 July 2000). "Fear factor worries McLeish". [[BBC Sport]].
- "Qualification for European club football 2001/02". Bert Kassies.
- (6 December 2000). "Falkirk stadium hopes boost". [[BBC News]].
- "Aberdeen Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Celtic Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Dundee Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Dundee United Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Dunfermline Athletic Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Heart of Midlothian Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Hibernian Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Kilmarnock Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Motherwell Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Rangers Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "St Johnstone Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "St Mirren Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League.
- "Aberdeen". Historical Football Kits.
- "Celtic". Historical Football Kits.
- "Dundee". Historical Football Kits.
- "Dundee United". Historical Football Kits.
- "Dunfermline Athletic". Historical Football Kits.
- "Heart of Midlothian". Historical Football Kits.
- "Hibernian". Historical Football Kits.
- "Kilmarnock". Historical Football Kits.
- "Motherwell". Historical Football Kits.
- "Rangers". Historical Football Kits.
- "St Johnstone". Historical Football Kits.
- "St Mirren". Historical Football Kits.
- (12 May 2000). "Dundee turn to Bonetti brothers". [[The Guardian]].
- "Sturrock's United days are over". [[BBC News]].
- "Smith's managerial zest as strong as ever 31 years on". [[The Herald (Glasgow).
- (9 November 2000). "Jefferies stands down as Hearts boss". [[BBC News]].
- (1 December 2000). "Hearts unveil Levein as new coach". [[BBC News]].
- (7 April 2001). "Celtic recapture league title". [[BBC News]].
- (10 July 2000). "Celtic to break bank for Sutton". [[The Guardian]].
- (23 November 2000). "Flo completes £12m Rangers move". [[The Guardian]].
- (5 October 2000). "Dundee delight as Caniggia signs". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
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