# 1985–86 Scottish Football League

Statistics of the Scottish Football League in season 1985–86.

## Scottish Premier Division

Celtic won the League and became champions in one of the closest finishes in League history. On the final day of the season Hearts were leading Celtic by two points - a draw against Dundee would have been sufficient to see them win their first League title since the 1959–60 season. Hearts lost 2–0 to Dundee at Dens Park thanks to two goals by substitute Albert Kidd; the first in the 83rd minute and the second in the final minute while Celtic beat St Mirren 5–0 at Love Street. As a result, Celtic won the league on goal difference.
Relegation was suspended due to league reconstruction, therefore Motherwell and Clydebank retained their Premier Division status.
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Celtic (C) | 36 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 67 | 38 | +29 | 50 | Qualification for the European Cup first round |
| 2 | Heart of Midlothian | 36 | 20 | 10 | 6 | 59 | 33 | +26 | 50 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 3 | Dundee United | 36 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 59 | 31 | +28 | 47 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 4 | Aberdeen | 36 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 62 | 31 | +31 | 44 | Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round |
| 5 | Rangers | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 53 | 45 | +8 | 35 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 6 | Dundee | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 45 | 51 | −6 | 35 | |
| 7 | St Mirren | 36 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 42 | 63 | −21 | 31 | |
| 8 | Hibernian | 36 | 11 | 6 | 19 | 49 | 63 | −14 | 28 | |
| 9 | Motherwell | 36 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 33 | 66 | −33 | 20 | |
| 10 | Clydebank | 36 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 29 | 77 | −48 | 20 | |

## Scottish First Division

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 1 | Hamilton Academical (C, P) | 39 | 24 | 8 | 7 | 77 | 44 | +33 | 56 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
| 2 | Falkirk (P) | 39 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 57 | 39 | +18 | 45 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
| 3 | Kilmarnock | 39 | 18 | 8 | 13 | 62 | 49 | +13 | 44 | |
| 4 | Forfar Athletic | 39 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 51 | 43 | +8 | 44 | |
| 5 | East Fife | 39 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 54 | 46 | +8 | 43 | |
| 6 | Dumbarton | 39 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 59 | 52 | +7 | 43 | |
| 7 | Morton | 39 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 57 | 63 | −6 | 39 | |
| 8 | Partick Thistle | 39 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 53 | 64 | −11 | 36 | |
| 9 | Airdrieonians | 39 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 51 | 50 | +1 | 35 | |
| 10 | Brechin City | 39 | 13 | 9 | 17 | 58 | 64 | −6 | 35 | |
| 11 | Clyde | 39 | 9 | 17 | 13 | 49 | 59 | −10 | 35 | |
| 12 | Montrose | 39 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 43 | 54 | −11 | 34 | |
| 13 | Ayr United (R) | 39 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 41 | 60 | −19 | 31 | Relegation to the Second Division |
| 14 | Alloa Athletic (R) | 39 | 6 | 14 | 19 | 49 | 74 | −25 | 26 | Relegation to the Second Division |

## Scottish Second Division

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion |
| 1 | Dunfermline Athletic (C, P) | 39 | 23 | 11 | 5 | 91 | 47 | +44 | 57 | Promotion to the First Division |
| 2 | Queen of the South (P) | 39 | 23 | 9 | 7 | 71 | 36 | +35 | 55 | Promotion to the First Division |
| 3 | Meadowbank Thistle | 39 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 68 | 45 | +23 | 49 | |
| 4 | Queen's Park | 39 | 19 | 8 | 12 | 61 | 39 | +22 | 46 | |
| 5 | Stirling Albion | 39 | 18 | 8 | 13 | 57 | 53 | +4 | 44 | |
| 6 | St Johnstone | 39 | 18 | 6 | 15 | 63 | 55 | +8 | 42 | |
| 7 | Stenhousemuir | 39 | 16 | 8 | 15 | 55 | 63 | −8 | 40 | |
| 8 | Arbroath | 39 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 56 | 50 | +6 | 39 | |
| 9 | Raith Rovers | 39 | 15 | 7 | 17 | 67 | 65 | +2 | 37 | |
| 10 | Cowdenbeath | 39 | 14 | 9 | 16 | 52 | 53 | −1 | 37 | |
| 11 | East Stirlingshire | 39 | 11 | 6 | 22 | 49 | 69 | −20 | 28 | |
| 12 | Berwick Rangers | 39 | 7 | 11 | 21 | 45 | 80 | −35 | 25 | |
| 13 | Albion Rovers | 39 | 8 | 8 | 23 | 38 | 86 | −48 | 24 | |
| 14 | Stranraer | 39 | 9 | 5 | 25 | 41 | 83 | −42 | 23 | |