- Scottish Premier League 1998-99
Infobox Football league season
competition = Bank of Scotland Premier League
season = 1998–99
winners = Rangers
promoted =
relegated = Dunfermline Athletic
continentalcup1 = Champions League
continentalcup1 qualifiers = Rangers
continentalcup2 =UEFA Cup
continentalcup2 qualifiers = Celtic, St. Johnstone, Kilmarnock
continentalcup3 =Intertoto Cup
continentalcup3 qualifiers = "None"
league topscorer =Henrik Larsson (27)
total goals = 471 (26)
average goals = 2.62
biggest home win = Celtic 6–1 Dundee (07 Nov )
Rangers 6–1 Dundee (20 Feb )
biggest away win = St. Johnstone 0–7 Rangers (08 Nov )
highest attendance = 60,092, Celtic v St. Johnstone (31 Jan )
lowest attendance = 3,532, Dunfermline Athletic v Motherwell (23 May )
average attendance = 18,577 (541)
prevseason = 1997–98 (Premier Division)
nextseason = 1999–2000The 1998–99 Scottish Premier League season was the inaugural season ofScottish Premier League football. It began on1 August 1998 .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 theUEFA Cup . Fourth placed Kilmarnock also gained a UEFA Cup place via theUEFA Fair Play ranking .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 atDens Park .cite news|url=http://www.scotprem.premiumtv.co.uk/page/SeasonReview/0,,10002~674742,00.html|publisher=ScotPrem.co.uk|title=Season Review - 1998-1999|accessdate=2008-04-20] Also on the first day of the season,Craig Burley scored the SPL's firsthat-trick as defending champions Celtic defeated Dunfermline Athletic 5–0 atCeltic 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 world-wide, 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 .cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/133326.stm|publisher=BBC News |title=Kanchelskis move to Rangers|date=1998-07-15 |accessdate=2008-04-20]Rangers clinched the SPL title by beating
Old Firm -rivals Celtic 3–0 at Celtic Park.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/scottish_premier/334094.stm|publisher=BBC News |title=Rangers make history out of chaos |date=1999-05-03 |accessdate=2008-04-20] Three players were red-carded during the game and refereeHugh Dallas was struck by a coin thrown by a Celtic supporter and required treatment from paramedics on the field.Promotion and relegation from 1997-98
Promoted from First Division to Premier League
*DundeeRelegated from Premier Division to First Division
*HibernianEvents
*
March 11 : The Scottish Premier League agrees a two-year sponsorship deal withBank of Scotland cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4971530.html|publisher=The Independent |title=Scottish sponsorship deal is defended|date=1999-03-11 |accessdate=2008-04-21]
*May 2 : Rangers win the title after defeating Celtic 3–0 atCeltic Park .Table
Source: [http://www.scotprem.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Attendance/0,,10002~19983,00.html SPL official website]
Managerial changes
References
ee also
*
1998-99 in Scottish football
*Rangers F.C. season 1998-99
*Dundee United FC Season 1998-99
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