Rubin boss hails successive titles

Rubin Kazan coach Kurban Berdiyev claims retaining the Russian Premier Liga title proves their maiden success last year was "no fluke".

Rubin sealed their second successive league crown today with a goalless draw against Zenit St Petersburg as closest challengers Spartak Moscow went down 3-2 at city rivals CSKA.

"We were perfectly aware that [this season] would be a lot tougher than the last," said Berdiyev. "The aim wasn't even to retain the title, but to play well enough to show that last season was no fluke."

With Rubin's crunch Champions League clash at home to Dynamo Kiev only three days away, Berdiyev insists celebrations are being kept to a minimum.

"Talking specifically about the game, I'm not satisfied because we should have scored," he added.

"But the main thing was we got the result to win us the medals.

"The celebrations have been pretty low-key. The season isn't over yet."