Dundee United's downer

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

BY DAVID MCKINNEY

Dundee United, league champions as recently as 1983, were relegated to the First Division following Saturday's defeat at Tannadice by Celtic.

At Falkirk, Aberdeen were climbing out of the hole they had dug for themselves by winning 2-0 to qualify for a play-off place against Dunfermline.

Peter Grant, the influential Celtic midfielder, will awake today to the realisation that he will miss the Scottish Cup final on 27 May after damaging knee ligaments against United.

It is a hard blow for Grant, who has missed out on Celtic's last two cup final appearances through a combination of injury and suspension.

Tommy Burns, the Celtic manager, will move this week to secure Marc Degryse, the Belgian striker. Degryse is expected to sign a conditional acceptance to joining Celtic, dependent upon the club securing their entry to European competition with a win over Airdrie in the cup final.

While Rangers were awarded the Premier Division trophy on Saturday, Raith Rovers won the First Division title and Dumbarton secured promotion from the Second Division.