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1996–97 Scottish Premier Division

The 1996–97 Scottish Premier Division season was the penultimate season of Scottish Premier Division football before the change to the Scottish Premier League. It began on 10 August 1996.

Overview

The 1996–97 Scottish Premier Division season ended in success for Rangers who won the title by five points from nearest rivals Celtic to clinch nine titles in a row, equalling Celtic's record from the 1973–74 season. Raith Rovers were relegated to the First Division after finishing bottom. As champions, Rangers qualified for the Champions League while Celtic were joined by third-placed Dundee United in qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Seventh-placed Kilmarnock qualified for the penultimate Cup Winners' Cup as Scottish Cup winners.[1]

The season began on 10 August with the first goal of the season scored by Dundee United's Gary McSwegan as they drew 1–1 at home to Motherwell. The season ended on 10 May with Celtic's Tommy Johnson netting a late goal to cap a 3–0 win at home to Dundee United to claim the final goal of the season.

Clubs

Promotion and relegation from 1995–96

Promoted from First Division to Premier League

Relegated from Premier Division to First Division

Stadia and locations

1996–97 Scottish Premier Division is located in Scotland Central Belt
Aberdeen
Celtic
Dundee Utd
Dunfermline Athletic
Hearts
Hibernian
Kilmarnock
Motherwell
Raith Rovers
Rangers
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Location of clubs in the 1996–97 Scottish Premier Division

Managers

Managerial changes

Events

League table

Source: Soccerbase
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ As the League Cup winners Rangers had qualified for European competition via their league position, the place in the UEFA Cup was passed to the next highest placed team in the league, Dundee United.
  2. ^ Kilmarnock qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as the winners of the Scottish Cup.

Results

Matches 1–18

During matches 1–18 each team plays every other team twice (home and away).

Source: Soccerbot
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 19–36

During matches 19–36 each team plays every other team a further two times (home and away).

Source: Soccerbot
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Play-off

A two leg play-off took place between the 9th placed team in the Premier Division (Hibernian) and the runner-up of the First Division (Airdrieonians) for a place in the 1997–98 Scottish Premier Division.

Hibernian won the first leg 1–0 at Easter Road, and went on to win the second leg by 4 goals to 2 at Broadwood Stadium.[6] Therefore, Hibernian maintained their Premier Division status for another season, 5–2 on aggregate.

Top scorers

Source: Soccerbot Archived 2013-05-17 at the Wayback Machine

References

  1. ^ "Scottish Premier Division 1996/97". Soccerbot. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
  2. ^ a b c "McLean quits Raith to join his brother". The Herald. 10 September 1996. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Youth is name of the game as Totten is pushed out by Kilmarnock". The Herald. 4 December 1996. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Photographer claims club chairman kicked and punched him outside ground Raith chief 'went berserk'". The Herald. 16 April 1997. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Nicholl rejects Raith's offer". The Independent. 14 April 1997. Archived from the original on 2022-05-01. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Airdrie captain sent off as Hibs secure premier division status Jackson at the double on a night of penalties". The Herald. 23 May 1997. Retrieved 17 February 2018.