Kyle Lafferty strike defeats Hibernian and seals title for Rangers

Now that the formalities have been resolved, attention at Rangers can turn fully towards the future ownership of the club itself and of Walter Smith, the manager. Smith secured his ninth Premier League title during two terms in office with this win: Rangers are the champions of Scotland for the 53rd time in their history. With a backdrop of off-field uncertainty – the Rangers management team are working without contracts – Smith will cherish the magnitude of this achievement more than many that have gone before. As has been the case so often in recent times, Rangers were efficient rather than sparkling in seeing off the challenge from Hibernian. Smith's players have, since the turn of the year, merely proved the theory that getting over the finishing line is the hardest part of all. This was, the odd neat passage of play notwithstanding, a rather tame affair. Kyle Lafferty opened the scoring as Rangers secured the SPL title with a win over Dundee United a year ago. The former Burnley player was again the key figure here, slamming home a fine angled shot in the 17th minute. David Wotherspoon fired just over the crossbar as Hibs searched in vain for a second-half equaliser. The hosts believed they were denied a legitimate penalty claim as Derek Riordan fell under a Steven Whittaker challenge. Yet there was to be no salvation for the Edinburgh men. Rangers, in front of a reduced travelling support due to the ongoing reconstruction of Easter Road, celebrated their second SPL success in as many seasons. Time will tell if Smith sticks around to try to oversee three in a row.