1980–81 Scottish Premier Division

The 1980–81 Scottish Premier Division was the sixth season of the Premier Division, and the 75th edition overall of the top national league competition.

Scottish Premier Division
Season1980–81
ChampionsCeltic
3rd Premier Division title
32nd Scottish title
RelegatedKilmarnock
Heart of Midlothian
European CupCeltic
UEFA CupAberdeen
Dundee United
Cup Winners' CupRangers
Matches played180
Goals scored481 (2.67 per match)
Top goalscorerFrank McGarvey (23)
Biggest home winDundee United 7–0 Kilmarnock
Biggest away winKilmarnock 1–8 Rangers

Ten teams contested the league. Eight teams from the 1979–80 season (Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Kilmarnock, Morton, Partick Thistle, Rangers, and St Mirren) plus two clubs promoted from the 1979–80 Scottish First Division (Heart of Midlothian and Airdrieonians).

Aberdeen were the defending champions, having won their first title in 25 years in the previous season.

The title was won by Celtic on 22 April 1981, after defeating Dundee United 3–2 at Tannadice Park, with two matches still to play. They finished seven points ahead of closest challengers Aberdeen. At the end of the season, Kilmarnock and Heart of Midlothian were relegated.

Table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Celtic (C) 36 26 4 6 84 37 +47 56 Qualification for the European Cup first round
2 Aberdeen 36 19 11 6 61 26 +35 49 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3 Rangers 36 16 12 8 60 32 +28 44 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round
4 St Mirren 36 18 8 10 56 47 +9 44
5 Dundee United 36 17 9 10 66 42 +24 43 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
6 Partick Thistle 36 10 10 16 32 48 −16 30
7 Airdrieonians 36 10 9 17 36 55 −19 29
8 Morton 36 10 8 18 36 58 −22 28
9 Kilmarnock (R) 36 5 9 22 23 65 −42 19 Relegation to the 1981–82 Scottish First Division
10 Heart of Midlothian (R) 36 6 6 24 27 71 −44 18
Source: Statto
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated

Results

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Matches 1–18

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During matches 1–18 each team plays every other team twice (home and away).

Home \ Away ABE AIR CEL DNU HEA KIL MOR PAR RAN STM
Aberdeen 4–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–0 6–0 2–1 2–0 3–2
Airdrieonians 0–4 1–4 0–0 3–0 1–0 1–0 0–0 1–1 1–2
Celtic 0–2 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–1 4–1 1–2 1–2
Dundee United 1–3 1–0 0–3 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–0 2–4 2–0
Heart of Midlothian 0–1 0–2 0–2 0–3 2–0 0–1 0–1 0–0 1–1
Kilmarnock 1–1 1–1 0–3 0–1 0–1 3–3 0–1 1–8 1–6
Morton 1–0 3–1 2–3 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–2 2–2 1–4
Partick Thistle 0–1 2–1 0–1 2–3 3–2 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–0
Rangers 1–1 0–0 3–0 1–4 3–1 2–0 0–1 4–0 2–0
St Mirren 0–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–0 0–0
Source: [citation needed]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 19–36

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During matches 19–36 each team plays every other team twice (home and away).

Home \ Away ABE AIR CEL DNU HEA KIL MOR PAR RAN STM
Aberdeen 3–0 4–1 1–1 1–0 0–2 0–1 3–1 0–0 1–2
Airdrieonians 0–0 1–2 0–5 1–2 3–0 3–2 2–0 1–1 0–2
Celtic 1–1 2–1 2–1 6–0 1–1 3–0 4–1 3–1 7–0
Dundee United 0–0 4–1 2–3 4–1 7–0 1–0 3–2 2–1 1–2
Heart of Midlothian 0–2 2–3 0–3 0–4 1–0 0–0 1–1 2–1 1–2
Kilmarnock 1–0 0–1 1–2 0–1 2–0 0–0 0–1 1–1 2–0
Morton 1–3 0–1 0–3 2–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 0–2 1–3
Partick Thistle 1–1 1–0 0–1 0–2 1–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–0
Rangers 1–0 2–0 0–1 2–1 4–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–0
St Mirren 1–1 2–1 3–1 3–3 2–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–1
Source: [citation needed]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

References

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