Rangers ended four years of hurt as Walter Smith's men clinched their first Scottish Premier League title since 2005 with a 3-0 win at Dundee United.

Smith's charges came in to the game knowing they needed to only match city rivals Celtic?s result to ensure the title would be heading back to Ibrox.

And they made the dream start as Kyle Lafferty converted Kris Boyd's cross to give Rangers an early lead.

The visitors then doubled their lead in first-half injury time as Pedro Mendes' left-foot strike sent the travelling fans in to raptures at Tannadice.

Boyd struck his 31st goal of the campaign in the 52nd minute to ensure the victory as United missed out on a Europa League qualification.

Elsewhere, Celtic were held to a goalless draw by Hearts as Rangers finished the season four points clear of Gordon Strachan's men.

Celtic started the game brightly but a string of fine saves from Hearts stopper Marian Kello and news from elsewhere meant Strachan?s troops surrendered the title with little fuss.

In the final game of the afternoon Aberdeen beat Hibernian 2-1 thanks to goals from Lee Miller and Charlie Mulgrew to leapfrog Dundee United and seal a place in the Europa League on goal difference.