The 1984/85 season was the last time a non-Old Firm team won the Scottish topflight. Aberdeen, led by Alex Ferguson, were the team to achieve the feat, making it back-to-back titles.
Since 1994/95, Hearts, Motherwell, and Aberdeen are the only teams other than Celtic and Rangers to finish in the top two.
All four of Aberdeen’s top-two placings during that period came while Rangers were in the lower leagues. The same goes for Motherwell’s two second-place finishes.
Hearts were runners-up in 2005/06, making them the only team in more than three decades to finish in the top two of the Scottish Premiership while Celtic and Rangers were in the league. There are long football betting odds available on Celtic or Rangers finishing outside the top two.
Prior to Aberdeen winning consecutive titles in 1984 and 1985, Dundee United won their only Scottish league title in 1983. It is the only three-year period in the history of Scottish football that neither of the Old Firm teams have won the title.
Both Celtic and Rangers have had periods of dominance since Aberdeen won under Ferguson. Rangers won nine in a row between 1989 and 1997, while Celtic won nine straight between 2012 and 2020 (Rangers spent several of those years working their way through the lower divisions).
How Many Titles Have Celtic and Rangers Won?
Celtic and Rangers have won 55 league titles apiece, taking them to a combined 110.
Aberdeen, Hearts, and Hibernian are tied for the third-most titles in Scottish football history. The three clubs combine for 12 titles.
How Many Other Teams Have Won Scottish Titles?
Nine teams, along with Celtic and Rangers, have won the title. Dundee United and Aberdeen are the only teams to have won a title since 1965.
Dumbarton, Aberdeen, Hearts, and Hibernian are the only clubs with multiple league titles. Motherwell, Kilmarnock, Dundee, Dundee United, and Third Lanark have one title apiece.
Celtic and Rangers are two of the most successful football clubs in the world if judged purely on trophy count.
Most Scottish League Titles
- Celtic – 55
- Rangers – 55
- Aberdeen – 4
- Hearts – 4
- Hibernian – 4
- Dumbarton – 2
Most Runner-Up Finishes
- Rangers – 36
- Celtic – 32
- Aberdeen – 17
- Hearts – 14
- Motherwell - 7
- Hibernian – 6
Most Third Place Finishes
- Rangers – 20
- Hearts – 20
- Celtic – 17
- Hibernian – 15
- Aberdeen – 10
- Motherwell – 9
- Dundee United – 8
- Kilmarnock – 4
- Morton – 4
- Clyde – 3
- Partick Thistle – 3
- St Johnstone – 3
Recent Scottish Champions
- 2024/25 – Celtic
- 2023/24 – Celtic
- 2022/23 – Celtic
- 2021/22 – Celtic
- 2020/21 – Rangers
- 2019/20 – Celtic
- 2018/19 – Celtic
- 2017/18 – Celtic
- 2016/17 – Celtic
- 2015/16 – Celtic
- 2014/15 – Celtic
- 2013/14 – Celtic
- 2012/13 – Celtic
- 2011/12 – Celtic
- 2010/11 – Rangers
- 2009/10 – Rangers
- 2008/09 – Rangers
- 2007/08 – Celtic
- 2006/07 – Celtic
- 2005/06 – Celtic
- 2004/05 – Rangers
- 2003/04 – Celtic
- 2002/03 – Rangers
- 2001/02 – Celtic
- 2000/01 – Celtic
