Celtic recorded their third consecutive SPL title on a moving night at Tannadice as Gordon Strachan and his players dedicated the success to the recently-departed Tommy Burns.
The Bhoys and Rangers were separated only by goal difference ahead of this final night showdown but Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's strike was enough to give Strachan's men victory at Dundee United.
Rangers slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Aberdeen to watch in vain as their dreams of a treble bit the dust and left them to concentrate on an FA Cup final against Queen of the South.
However, all the thoughts amongst Celtic players and supporters alike turned to Hoops' legend Burns, who died seven days ago. He had been Celtic coach until passing away and striker Scott McDonald led the tributes. "We loved him," McDonald said. "He was just a gentleman at heart. God rest his soul. We did this for you Tommy - God bless."
Goal hero Hesselink praised Burns as the Celtic supporters in the crowd sang the name of the club's former manager. "It's incredible," said the Dutchman. "It's about Tommy Burns, it's a tribute to him. We did it and it's a great feeling."
Chief executive Peter Lawwell hailed the achievement of current incumbent Strachan after becoming the first manager since Jock Stein to land three consecutive titles. "We've been written off and come back," Lawwell said. "It's a wonderful night for this club.
"It's been a week for this club that we should all be proud of. It's been a very emotional week - terrible grief, terrible sorrow - but we can be proud to be a Celtic supporter. He (Strachan) goes down in Celtic's history as a legend," Lawwell said.
Strachan was visibly moved by the success and the emotion surrounding the evening and kept his celebratory speech brief. "This has been one of the most fantastic occasions of my life," said the Celtic manager. "We had a challenge and accepted it and I want to celebrate it with guys who believed in me and who I believed in."
The mood in the blue corner of Glasgow was in stark contrast after Walter Smith's men fell to defeat at Pittodrie. Lee Miller and Darren Mackie were on target for the Dons to leave the Gers contemplating Celtics comeback.
Smith's men looked home and dry but a brace of old firm defeats in April allied to squandered points ensured Celtic overtook them on the final straight.
Smith also believed their run in Europe – the Gers lost to Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final last week – was a major factor in Celtic's success.
"I am disappointed with the way the season has finished in difficult circumstances," said Smith. "Coming back from big European games has been a big problem for us recently. There's no doubt Aberdeen motivate themselves to a greater degree playing us than in other games, but it's always difficult to come and play here."
Defender Christian Dailly conceded that the fixture congestion Rangers faced played a key role in the title run-in. "It'ss devastating for us really - we've worked so hard," he said. "There have been many highs for us this season, but now there have been a couple of real lows, which was always a danger the way the fixtures were structured. It has been a massive schedule. We've never shirked from it but you have to try and win the games."
