Season 1998–99 Intertoto Cup None Goals scored 471 (12px26) | Champions League Rangers Start date 1998 | |
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The 1998–99 Scottish Premier League season was the inaugural season of Scottish Premier League football. It began on 1 August 1998.
Contents
- Overview
- Promotion and relegation from 199798
- Events
- League table
- Matches 118
- Matches 1936
- Top scorers
- Attendances
- References
Rangers finished the season as Scottish Premier League champions, gaining them their 48th Scottish top division title. Dunfermline Athletic were relegated in bottom place, being replaced by Scottish Division One champions Hibernian.
Overview
The 1998–99 Scottish Premier League season ended in success for Rangers who, managed by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, won the title by six points from nearest rivals Celtic. Dunfermline Athletic were relegated after three seasons in the top division. As champions, Rangers qualified for the Champions League while Celtic were joined by St Johnstone in qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Fourth placed Kilmarnock also gained a UEFA Cup place via the UEFA Fair Play ranking.
The season began on 1 August 1998 with the first SPL goal scored by Aberdeen's Eoin Jess as they defeated newly promoted Dundee 2–0 at Dens Park. Also on the first day of the season, Craig Burley scored the SPL's first hat-trick as defending champions Celtic defeated Dunfermline Athletic 5–0 at Celtic Park.
1998–99 saw the introduction of a three-week break during January, which was well received by both players and managers. In its inaugural year, the SPL was broadcast to over 120 countries worldwide, while attendances increased and more money was invested in youth development than ever before. A new Scottish transfer record was also set as Rangers paid Fiorentina £5.5m for former Manchester United and Everton winger Andrei Kanchelskis.
Rangers clinched the SPL title by beating Old Firm-rivals Celtic 3–0 at Celtic Park. Three players were red-carded during the game and referee Hugh Dallas was struck by a coin thrown by a Celtic supporter and required treatment from paramedics on the field.
Promotion and relegation from 1997–98
Promoted from First Division to Premier League
Relegated from Premier Division to First Division
Events
League table
Source: SPL official website
Matches 1–18
During matches 1–18 each team plays every other team twice (home and away).
Source: Soccerbase
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.
Matches 19–36
During matches 19–36 each team plays every other team a further two times (home and away).
Source: Soccerbase
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.
Top scorers
Source: SPL official website
Attendances
The average attendances for SPL clubs during the 1998–99 season are shown below:
Source: SPL official website