That's why we're champions!

Yesterday somewhere in Europe lots of wee teams were put in the draw for the Champions League dreaming of battling all the way to the real competition, picking up a few euros before getting turfed out as the big bhoys make their way into the last 16 and the proper knock-out.



TITLE WINNING VIDEO



When we won the league the euphoria and joy was real, an amazing comeback from the seemingly dead as Rearangers wilted as they finally caught up with those pesky away fixtures that they had been avoiding.



Behind the sheer joy of winning the league was a very attractive prize, straight into the Champions League without having to visit Moscow or anywhere like that.



Twelve months ago the season's build up was all towards being ready for the Champions League qualifier and despite being seeded it couldn't have been any tougher than getting CSKA Moscow away.



Remember the tension? Artur Boruc out injured, John Kennedy playing on a plastic pitch, the joy of Paul Hartley's header, the dismay as CSKA murdered us down the left at home, cancelling out our away goal, Boruc and Lee Naylor squaring up (a bit one sided), Skippy's equaliser, extra time, Derek Riordan appearing, Maciej Zurawski and Riordan scoring, Boruc saving and we're through.



Well this year it will be nice and quiet as others scrap and battle to join the real teams in the Champions League, even Arsenal and Liverpool face qualifiers and we won't face AC Milan for the third year running because their in the UEFA Cup.



Every title win is sweet, demolishing big Eck's dream team and Hearts in 2006, seeing Paul LeGuen across l'channel in 2007 but 2008 was very very special, especially after too many scary home performances against too many teams to mention (such as St Mirren, Hibs, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts and Motherwell)



There was no more margin for error when Walter's gladiators came calling, and twice they were turned over losing their cherished discipline as they ended both games with ten men.



Barry Robson and Paul Hartley were on fire, Gary Caldwell playing out of his skin, Aiden McGeady and Shunsuke Nakamura dazzling as we rattled of win after win and on to Tannadice.



Remarkably it was in our own hands, no outside help required and bhoy did we deliver as the other lot crumbled with another red card collected as they feebly fell at Aberdeen as the party started down the road at Tannadice.



It's six weeks now since we won the league but the dividend continues through the winter as we enjoy another Champions League campaign.



Enjoy the VIDEO FROM TANNADICE and sit back and prepare for a third consecutive Champions League campaign.