[goldenHuddlestone]

Aberdeen secured a UEFA Cup place with a 2-0 home win over Rangers on the last day of the Scottish Premier League season on Sunday.

Scott Severin blasted in a magnificent opener in the 20th minute with a half-volley from almost 30 metres following a headed clearance by Rangers defender Davie Weir.

Twelve minutes later Steve Lovell swept a shot around keeper Allan McGregor to secure third place in the SPL.

Manager Jimmy Calderwood told BBC Radio: "We got there under our own steam which is great. We are winners now. We have let our fans down in the cups, but we have come back...now I look forward to next season because they know they are winners."

Aberdeen finished with 65 points from 38 games, four ahead of fourth-placed Hearts who lost 1-0 at Kilmarnock with Steve Naismith netting an 80th minute penalty after keeper Craig Gordon brought him down.

Champions Celtic lost 2-1 at Hibernian to finish with 84 points at the top of the table - 12 clear of second-placed Rangers.

Former Hibs striker Derek Riordan fired Celtic ahead in the 55th minute, but Scott Brown, who earlier this week agreed a 4.4 million pound transfer to Celtic, equalised. Ivan Sproule grabbed the winner with a minute left.