McGregor stars as Hibs clinch title

HIBS clinched the Championship title with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Queen of the South at Easter Road.

In front of a 17,056 crowd, two goals from defender Darren McGregor gave them a 2-0 cushion at half-time.

His first was a header, his second a touch on a Jason Cummings corner.

When skipper David Gray netted with a header early in the second 45, it was party time.

With nearest challengers Falkirk drawing at home to St Mirren, Neil Lennon’s men cannot be caught with three games remaining.

“It feels brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” beamed manager Neil Lennon.

“I’m really proud of the players and the club because you could feel the burden of being in the league for the third season.

“There was a weight but now it is lifted. I am very proud of this accomplishment, personally. It means a lot to me and I’m proud of the way the players have handled themselves over the season.

“The celebrations are for the players. I have had plenty in my time and I enjoyed them all but, as a manager, you let them get on with it.

“They are the ones out there doing all the hard work.”

At the Falkirk Stadium, after the home side’s Lee Miller cancelled out Rory Loy’s opener for St Mirren, Stephen McGinn put the Buddies back in front on the hour with a 25-yard effort.

Falkirk levelled in the 77th minute when substitute Bob McHugh found the back off the net with his first touch of the ball.

Morton slipped up when hosts Raith Rovers beat them 2-0.

The Fife side’s goals came from a Craig Barr header in 28 minutes, then a Ross Matthews shot just before the hour.

Morton remain in fourth place, within touching distance of a play-off spot.

Two late goals from McCabe and David Hopkirk gave Dunfermline a 2-0 victory at Dumbarton.

In the late game, Dundee United’s trip to Ayr United ended 0-0.

The only real drama came when referee Crawford Allan had to be replaced in the first half by fourth official Grant Irvine after collidingwith Ayr’s Paul Cairney.