1994–95 Scottish Premier Division Explained

Season:1994–95
Dates:13 August 1994 – 13 May 1995
Continentalcup1 Qualifiers:Rangers
League Topscorer:Tommy Coyne (16)
Total Goals:453
Average Goals:2.52
Biggest Home Win:Hibernian 5–0 Dundee United (13 August)
Dundee United 6–1 Motherwell (21 January)
Biggest Away Win:Dundee United 0–3 Rangers (4 December)
Nextseason:1995–96

The 1994–95 Scottish Premier Division season began on 13 August 1994; it was the first season of the new ten team league format, and also the first season using the rule of awarding three points for a win.

Overview

The 1994–95 Scottish Premier Division season ended in success for Rangers who won the title by fifteen points from nearest rivals Motherwell to clinch seven titles in a row. Dundee United were relegated to the First Division after finishing bottom with Aberdeen surviving a relegation playoff against Dunfermline Athletic. As champions, Rangers qualified for the Champions League while Motherwell were joined by League Cup winners Raith Rovers in qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Fourth-placed Celtic qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as Scottish Cup winners.[1]

The season began on 13 August with the first goal of the season scored by Hibernian's Billy Findlay as they won 5–0 at home to Dundee United. The regular league season ended on 13 May, with the relegation/promotion play-off following on the 21st and 25th.

Clubs

Promotion and relegation from 1993–94

Promoted from First Division to Premier League

Relegated from Premier Division to First Division

Stadia and locations

TeamLocationStadium
Pittodrie Stadium
CelticHampden Park[2]
Dundee UnitedDundeeTannadice Park
FalkirkFalkirkBrockville Park
Heart of MidlothianGorgie, EdinburghTynecastle Park
HibernianLeith, EdinburghEaster Road
KilmarnockKilmarnockRugby Park
MotherwellMotherwellFir Park
Partick ThistleMaryhill, GlasgowFirhill Stadium
RangersIbrox, GlasgowIbrox Park

Managers

TeamManager
Aberdeen Roy Aitken
Celtic Tommy Burns
Dundee United Billy Kirkwood
Falkirk Jim Jefferies
Heart of Midlothian Tommy McLean
Hibernian Alex Miller
Kilmarnock Alex Totten
Motherwell Alex McLeish
Partick Thistle John Lambie
Rangers Walter Smith

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerDate of vacancyManner of departureIncoming managerDate of appointment
Motherwell Tommy McLean11 June 1994[3] Resigned Alex McLeish11 June 1994
Celtic Lou Macari16 June 1994[4] Sacked Tommy Burns12 July 1994[5]
Heart of Midlothian Sandy Clark20 June 1994[6] Sacked Tommy McLean1 July 1994
Kilmarnock Tommy Burns12 July 1994Signed by Celtic Alex TottenJuly 1994
Aberdeen Willie Miller6 February 1995[7] Sacked Roy Aitken6 February 1995
Dundee United Ivan Golac14 March 1995Sacked Billy Kirkwood28 March 1995[8]

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).

Play-off

A two leg play-off took place between the 9th placed team in the Premier Division (Aberdeen) and the runner-up of the First Division (Dunfermline Athletic). Aberdeen won both legs by 3 goals to 1, winning the tie 6–2 on aggregate, thus securing their place in the 1995–96 Scottish Premier Division.[9] [10]

Top scorers

Player Goals Team
16Motherwell
15 Aberdeen
13 Rangers
Source:=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/scot95.html RSSSF

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scottish Premier Division 1995/96. Soccerbot. 2008-06-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20080514141514/http://www.soccerbot.com/scot/tables/sdprem96.htm. 14 May 2008 . live.
  2. Celtic would spend the season groundsharing with Queen's Park at Hampden Park while renovation works were completed at Celtic Park.
  3. News: McLean loses patience with Motherwell. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mclean-loses-patience-with-motherwell-1422222.html . 2022-05-01 . subscription . live. The Independent. 11 June 1994. 17 February 2018.
  4. News: Celtic in surprise sacking of Macari. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-celtic-in-surprise-sacking-of-macari-1423239.html . 2022-05-01 . subscription . live. The Independent. 16 June 1994. 17 February 2018.
  5. News: Anger as Celtic appoint Burns: Kilmarnock demand compensation for loss of manager. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-anger-as-celtic-appoint-burns-kilmarnock-demand-compensation-for-loss-of-manager-1413587.html . 2022-05-01 . subscription . live. The Independent. 12 July 1994. 17 February 2018.
  6. News: Clark seeks compensation after sacking by Hearts. The Herald. 21 June 1994. 17 February 2018.
  7. News: Aberdeen sack Miller. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/aberdeen-sack-miller-1571954.html . 2022-05-01 . subscription . live. The Independent. 7 February 1995. 17 February 2018.
  8. Book: Kelly. Pat. Dundee United Who's Who. 1998. John Donald. Edinburgh. 0-85976-502-4. 191.
  9. News: Aberdeen find form to preserve Premier status. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/aberdeen-find-form-to-preserve-premier-status-1621213.html . 2022-05-01 . subscription . live . 26 May 1995. 27 October 2018. David McKinney. The Independent.
  10. News: In pictures: The agony and ecstasy of Scottish football play-off drama. Haggerty. Tony. 6 May 2015. Daily Record. 1 October 2018.