Gordon Strachan has resigned as Celtic manager after seeing Rangers end his hopes of claiming a fourth league title in succession.

The Bhoys’ title hopes were dashed on Sunday when their Glasgow rivals triumphed 3-0 at Dundee United, wrestling the trophy away from Celtic for the first time since Strachan’s arrival in The SPL in 2005.

As well as claiming three consecutive league titles at Parkhead, Strachan also won the Scottish Cup once and the League Cup twice, not to mention taking the club to the knockout stages of the Champions League for two successive years.

But he was never universally accepted by Celtic supporters and opted to stand down on Monday, with a reign that famously begun with a 5-0 defeat to Artmedia Bratislava ending with Strachan departing with his reputation enhanced following a trophy-laden spell.

“As I have said before, Celtic is a special club, with special supporters,” Strachan told the club’s official website.

“There is no club like it and it has been an absolute honor and privilege to be the club’s manager for the past four years.

“We have done all we can to bring success to the club and we were delighted to deliver three SPL titles, other domestic silverware, as well as making some great progress in Europe.

“It is just disappointing that we did not manage the fourth championship. However, the players can hold their heads high in terms of what they have done for the club in recent years.”

The hunt for a new manager now begins for Celtic and chairman Sir John Reid is adamant that the club will seek to make an appointment in the near future.

"Gordon Strachan has served Celtic Football Club with distinction, demonstrating great character, determination and professionalism in his role and ensuring tremendous success for the club,” said Reid.

“He is a man who I personally will always hold in high regard and someone whose record for the club speaks for itself. I would like to wish Gordon, Lesley and their family all the very best for the future.

“We will now aim to appoint our new football manager as soon as possible. Our aim is to regain the championship which we have dominated in recent years and restore our pre-eminent place in Scottish football.”

Strachan has been linked with the Sunderland post vacated by Ricky Sbragia on Sunday evening.