Both sets of supporters celebrated following a 1-1 draw between champions Hibernian and St Mirren at Easter Road this afternoon.
The result means that Hibs have won the league by 11 points whilst St Mirren avoided a play-off place on goal difference.
Neil Lennon made three changes to the starting XI which comprehensively beat Ayr United last weekend with Jordon Forster, Fraser Fyvie and Chris Humphrey making way for Efe Ambrose, Marvin Bartley and Andrew Shinnie.
Hibs took the field to a firework display and there was a carnival atmosphere from the near capacity crowd.
Lennon’s men should have taken an early lead when former Buddie John McGinn floated an inch perfect cross into the box and Grant Holt’s cushioned header fell perfectly for Shinnie but the midfielder blasted the ball over the bat from eight yards.
Martin Boyle then had a great chance after outpacing his marker but slipped as he was about to shoot.
For once this season, Hibs had a refereeing decision go in their favour when David Gray looked to have fouled Lewis Morgan inside the area but Alan Muir waved away the St Mirren players appeals than spoke to a member of Buddies’ staff who complained.
The travelling support then found out that Raith Rovers had taken the lead against Ayr United which meant that a defeat would see them in the play-offs.
Hibs took the lead just after the break when Holt and Gary McKenzie both went for a McGinn cross inside the six yard area and the ball ended up in the net.
Holt claimed the goal and did his trademark celebration to the delight of the fans behind the goal.
Saints grabbed a deserved equaliser on the hour mark when Kyle Magennis found Stevie Mallan inside the area and the midfielder picked out Rory Loy who fired the ball past Ofir Maciano from 15 yards sparking wild scenes from the Saints fans.
With time running out, news filtered through from Kirkcaldy that Ayr United had equalised which resulted in more celebrations.
Hibs’ top scorer Jason Cummings almost grabbed a dramatic late winner but his powerful effort flew inches past the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
There was a late scare when Raith Rovers took the lead but the Saints held on to secure an invaluable point which ensured Championship football next season
Hibs: Marciano, Gray, Bartley, McGinn, Holt, Stevenson, Boyle, Shinnie, McGregor, Ambrose, Cummings. Subs: Laidlaw, Fyvie, Keatings, Forster, Humphrey, Graham, Martin
St Mirren: O’Brien, Irvine, McKenzie, Mallan, Smith, Baird, Loy, Morgan, McGinn, Magennis, Eckersley. Subs: Langfield, Demetriou, Webster, Quinn, Sutton, Fjelde, Todd
Referee Alan Muir
Attendance 19,764
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
