Rangers were confirmed Scottish Premier League champions without kicking a ball at Parkhead.

Celtic, who needed victory to delay the inevitable, could only draw against Hibernian.

Stuart Lovell's 31st minute goal for the visitors was cancelled out by Stephane Mahe's individual effort with 11 minutes remaining - but that was not enough to deprive Rangers their glory.

Celtic went into this contest knowing only victory would avoid Rangers travelling to face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park tomorrow night with the title already secured.

Today's lapse is a fitting conclusion to a season during which Rangers' deserved winning the Championship has had much to do with Celtic's knack of self-destructing at vital times.

The summer buzz that followed Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes' arrival at Celtic has proved misplaced optimism as Rangers have regained the title with a month of the season remaining.

Rangers can move some 20 points clear at the top with a win tomorrow and whoever succeeds Barnes this summer must recognise the damage sustained this term cannot surely be repaired overnight.

Former Dutch national coach Guus Hiddink has made positive noises about wanting the vacant managerial post at Celtic, but on recent evidence a huge overhaul of the current squad is required.

The number of empty seats at kick-off told the story of Celtic's season, the supporters disillusioned at being such a distant second to their Glasgow rivals.

Those who opted to stay away, including more than 10,000 season ticket holders, had clearly decided they had endured enough misery from their hapless team without another dose of humiliation.

It was Hibernian who started the brighter, Lovell forcing Jonathan Gould, retained despite his own goal against Dundee last week, into a low save after just four minutes.

A minute later, Hibernian came closer still when Russell Latapy struck a post, while Gould was again called into action to stop an angled drive from Kenny Miller.

Lubomir Moravcik sent a swerving shot just over for Celtic and it was the Slovakian's corner which picked out Johan Mjallby for a free header the Swede sent over the bar when well-placed.

The game was proving a muted affair, even Dirk Lehmann's crushing challenge on Riseth failing to raise the tempo, as Celtic were clearly missing the power of leading scorer Mark Viduka.

Regi Blinker combined well with Mark Burchill on 25 minutes, but Eyal Berkovic was unable to control his effort which sailed off-target as the deadlock persisted.

Hibernian had faded as an attacking force, but on 31 minutes they were ahead through Lovell after the Celtic backline made danger for themselves and were duly punished.

A deep Paul Lovering cross from the left was met by Lehmann, but Celtic had time to clear only to allow Lovell to stoop down and net with low diving header from close range.

Celtic were forced into a change after 35 minutes when Riseth was taken off injured allowing Stephen Crainey on, the youngster's first touch a free-kick straight at Nick Colgan.

His second touch was more telling, cutting out a Miller pass meant for Lehmann which threatened to put Celtic two behind, a Berkovic long-range strike wide their instant response.

The Israeli should have done better on 43 minutes when after beating two defenders his shot was beaten away by Colgan at point blank range with Tom Smith heading away the loose ball.

Colgan fumbled badly an ambitious shot from Moravcik, but Celtic were short of ideas and all too aware at half-time, Rangers were 45 minutes away from sealing the Championship.

Substitute Crainey set up Burchill for a flicked header wide then, in a lively personal opening to the second-half, curled a free-kick into the side-netting with Colgan seemingly beaten.

Matters could have got worse for Celtic on 50 minutes when Miller raced clear of the home defence, but Gould was equal to his low shot to keep hopes of a comeback alive.

Celtic were becoming increasingly desperate, but still were unable to find even one goal - Stilian Petrov blazing over from close range after a clever backheel from Healy.

The frustrated Berkovic was booked for diving on the hour mark as he claimed he was fouled by John Hughes on the edge of the area, while Moravcik and Shaun Dennis were yellow-carded for squaring up.

Blinker was carried off injured on 75 minutes to allow Fernando De Ornelas a chance to impress, as Celtic tried to stir for one last bid at preserving their pride.

Lingering hopes that Celtic might force Rangers to delay their party for another day at least were reignited after 79 minutes when Mahe's individual strike made it 1-1.

The French defender found his way past two defenders as he cut in from the left and he opted to finish himself with a composed low strike under the reach of Colgan.

Celtic needed another goal, but as the fans resigned themselves to their fate so too did the players and they created nothing of note after Mahe's late lifeline.

Teams:

Celtic: Gould, Riseth (Crainey 35), Mjallby, Mahe, Healy, Lambert, Petrov, Berkovic, Blinker (de Ornelas 73), Burchill,Moravcik.

Subs Not Used: Kerr, Kennedy, Petta.

Booked: Berkovic, Moravcik.

Goals: Mahe 79.

Hibernian: Colgan, Smith, Jack (McGinlay 84), Hughes, Dennis, Lovering, Lovell, Latapy, Brebner, K. Miller (Jean 90),Lehmann (Hartley 79).

Subs Not Used: Gottskalksson, Bannerman.

Booked: Lehmann, Lovering, Hughes, Dennis, Hartley.

Goals: Lovell 30.

Att: 33,229