Another week, another round of Scottish Premiership action.
We kicked off with Aberdeen, fresh off their 2-1 away win over Kilmarnock, hosting Hibs, with both sides knowing that three points would bring them within touching distance of the European places. In the end, it was Gary Mackay-Steven who played hero on this occasion, with his goal 40 minutes extending Hibs’ winless run to four games.
St Johnstone lit up the Saturday fixtures by hitting Hamilton for four, sealing their fifth consecutive win - and clean sheet - in the process and moving them to fourth place.
Dundee’s wretched form was matched only by their luck as their 1-1 home draw with St Mirren featured a controversial penalty decision for the away team. Kenny Miller’s equalizer ended Dundee’s five-game losing streak, but they remain rock bottom with just four points from 13 matches.
Meanwhile at Tynecastle, Hearts’ struggles continued, with injury and poor form seeing the former league leader’s slump to their second successive defeat; Steve Clarke’s Kilmarnock side have been one of the highlights of the season so far, and their 1-0 victory in Edinburgh was the perfect response to seeing their winning streak ended by Aberdeen last week.
Sunday saw the Old Firm teams return to domestic action following their European bouts midweek-with somewhat contrasting fortunes.
Celtic, fresh of the excitement of their home win over Red Bull Leipzig, found only frustration in Livingston. The visitors bid for a sixth successive league win was dashed by against a stubborn home side who, having previously kept clean sheets against Hibs and Rangers this campaign, were good value for their point in this goalless affair; the result did see Celtic top the table, however, leading Hearts on goal difference with a game in hand.
Contrast that to the joy Rangers had at Ibrox. With Scott Arfield’s early goal cancelled out by Curtis Main’s effort, what was a competitive tussle turned in an instant when Motherwell saw Carl McHugh sent off for two yellow cards in just 34 minutes-his second a handball which saw Rangers instantly retake the lead through James Tavernier’s penalty. Alfredo Morelos gave Rangers a two-goal cushion going into halftime; a cushion which would be padded time and time again in the second half as the visitors utterly collapsed. Afrield got a second, youngster Glenn Middleton helped himself to a goal and Eros Grezda got off the mark with a brace in what was a 7-1 thrashing.
St Johnstone 4-0 Hamilton Academical