SPL/ Celtic 1 Hibernian 1: Gordon Strachan has been reluctant to discuss pivotal moments of his career or Celtic's season during this his first year as the manager, but yesterday he admitted in the immediate aftermath of taking delivery of the Premier League trophy that the moment he lifted the prize was enough to justify his decision to enter management in Scotland after his self-imposed exile from the game.

Despite a playing career filled with success at home and abroad Strachan had never won a title as a manager, but yesterday the 49-year-old joined his players on a lap of honour after stretching their unbeaten league run to 18 games and confirming their status as worthy champions.

"Everybody wants to play for Celtic or manage Celtic so they can have days like this," the former Southampton manager said. "During my year out of football I wanted to try something different from before.

"I got a bit worried at times, but I'm glad I hung in there and got this job because these days make it all worthwhile."

Celtic's march to the title, their 40th, has been so untroubled they will enter next Sunday's Old Firm match in the enviable position of having nothing but pride to play for. The 90 minutes against Hibernian were merely a preamble to the latest party in this season of success, but the players deserve credit for applying themselves against a dangerous team.

Billy Connolly, a lifelong fan of the club, was on hand to present Strachan and his captain Neil Lennon with the trophy that lays down a first meaningful marker for the incoming Rangers manager, Paul Le Guen.

"I can see Hearts and Rangers getting stronger for next season," Strachan added, "so we have to be prepared for that, and hopefully we can do well in Europe. I know right away that I need more players to be able to do that."

Hibs had taken a first-half lead through the impressive Steven Fletcher after a precise through pass from Stephen Glass, against a Celtic team that included Roy Keane for the first time since last month's League Cup final win. Keane needs to play in three of Celtic's four remaining games to get a championship medal.

Celtic's equaliser, which fittingly came from their top scorer, Maciej Zurawski, with a header, arrived 14 minutes from time and they were only prevented from securing three points by Zibby Malkowski's point-blank save from the same player and thus will fall short of the 100-point mark that was the only remaining target of a successful season. That will be of little consequence among the club's followers, however, who have unanimously warmed to Strachan after his desperately disappointing start.

There was also an appearance in the main stand from Tommy Burns, the Celtic first-team coach and former manager, who recently underwent an operation to remove a melanoma from a leg.

Keane strolled through his 82 minutes on the field before taking his usual muted part in the celebrations, but his continued excellence will give hope to Celtic, who are looking to retain him to make a mark in the Champions League.

Strachan is adamant such matters can wait until summer, and few would begrudge him time to enjoy this deserved success.

• Guardian Service

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Varga, McManus, Wilson, Petrov (Maloney 45), Lennon, Keane (Pearson 82), Nakamura, Hartson (Dublin 66), Zurawski. Subs not used: Marshall, Thompson, Wallace, McGeady. Goal: Zurawski 76.

HIBERNIAN: Malkowski, Whittaker, Caldwell, Hogg, Murphy, Fletcher, Thomson (Shiels, 70), Shields, Glass, Riordan (Benjelloun, 62), Konde (Sproule, 45). Subs not used: S Brown, Murray, Konte, Dalglish. Goal: Fletcher 35.

Referee: K Toner (Scotland).