Celtic officially claimed their fifth successive top flight title with a 3-2 win over Aberdeen to hand departing boss Ronny Deila with the perfect leaving gift.

After a season-long battle with Derek McInnes' Dons the Hoops finally crossed the line on Sunday, bringing to a close a title race which had been closer than many expected.

There were many twists and turns along the way, with Celtic eventually coming out on top. But it wasn't always so certain for Deila's side.

Here are seven key results that shaped the title race in the Scottish Premiership this season.

After suffering defeat at Pittodrie earlier in the season, Aberdeen travelled to Celtic Park with perhaps more belief than ever before under McInnes. The reigning champions demonstrated their superiority with a comprehensive win, however.

Griffiths was impressive once more, scoring twice in a 3-1 win for Deila's side. This was one of Celtic's most rounded performances of the season, with the Hoops perhaps disappointed that they didn't finish with more than there goals to their name.

The might have been played on Halloween, but there were to be no frights for Celtic. This was the first real indication of the season that the Hoops once again had the beating of Aberdeen at the top of the table

At this point the Premiership title race appeared to be more of a stroll for Celtic, with a seven-point lead opened up at the top of the table with this win over Inverness CT in the Highlands. All was well with Deila's side.

Callum McGregor opened the scoring, only for Miles Storey to equalise not long after for the Caley Jags. But Griffiths notched to give the Hoops the lead again, with Danny Devine's own goal stretching the visitors' advantage.

Carlton Cole came on after the hour mark for Celtic and played a role in bundling home the third goal, making an impression for his new team after joining just over a month previously.

Deila faced pressing questions over his side's playing style and practices at the turn of the year, with the Norwegian's footballing philosophy under scrutiny. This result offered an emphatic response, however.

Celtic found themselves five goals to the good by half-time against Hamilton Accies, with Griffiths bagging himself a hat-trick by the 54th minute. It was the Hoops' biggest win in the top-flight since the 9-0 thumping of Aberdeen back in November, 2010.

The result put down a marker for Deila's side at a time when they needed to make a statement of intent, with Accies somewhat fortunate to escape Celtic Park having only conceding eight. It could have been a lot worse.

A Celtic win on a chilly north-eastern night at Pittodrie would have surely effectively ended any potential title race, but a momentous win for Aberdeen reminded the Hoops that there was plenty running still to be done.

Jonny Hayes' thunderous first-half strike set Derek McInnes' side on course for a crucial three points, with debutant Simon Church doubling the Dons' advantage before the break.

Leigh Griffiths scored in the stoppage-time, but it was too little too late for the Hoops as a sold-out Pittodrie celebrated their team dragging their way back into contention at the top of the Premiership table.

If the Premiership title race was revived with Aberdeen's win over Celtic, this game highlighted defensive weaknesses which would stop Aberdeen from claiming the crown.

McInnes raged at a number of refereeing calls by Willie Collum, but this was generally a dismal and costly performance by the Dons.

Adam Rooney gave Aberdeen the lead after just seven minutes, but from then on things quickly slid downhill for McInnes men. Iain Vigurs restored parity for the hosts before Ash Taylor was controversially penalised for a challenge on Ross Draper.

McInnes would later criticise Draper for his role in the incident, but Greg Tansey converted the spot kick to put Inverness CT 2-1 ahead. Carl Tremarco netted in the second half to compound the Dons' misery.

The day the race swung irretrievably in Celtic's favour as the gap increased from one to four points.

After a poor, stodgy performance against a struggling Kilmarnock side, substitute Tom Rogic produced a goal of the season contender in the final minute to spark wild celebrations in the away end at Rugby Park.

The Australian's strike prompted the return of the Ronny Roar and he was given even more to shout about when Aberdeen slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Motherwell.

Kenny McLean's penalty gave the Dons the lead at Fir Park before two goals in as many minutes from Scott McDonald and Louis Moult. Barry Robson's red card compounded a dismal day for Derek McInnes' team.

Celtic might not have been officially crowned Scottish Premiership champions at Tynecastle, but their 3-1 win over Hearts on April 30 all but secured their fifth successive title.

The Hoops' celebrations at full-time in front of the away end in Gorgie showed that Celtic too, like the rest of us, believed they had in essence clinched the title. After a difficult campaign, it was a memorable moment for Deila. Erik Sviatchenko's dance moves were certainly memorable.

Colin Kazim-Richards' first league goal for Celtic also stuck in the mind, giving his side the lead after 17 minutes. Abiola Dauda equalised for the Jam Tarts before Patrick Roberts and Leigh Griffiths struck to reinstate the visitors' lead.

The title was officially clinched with victory over Aberdeen the week after, but this was the moment the ribbons were effectively tied on.