Scottish Premier League wrap: Celtic on brink of title glory

A Georgios Samaras header and an own goal by Chris Millar saw Celtic back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone on Sunday.

After defeat to Kilmarnock in the Scottish League Cup a fortnight ago, and last weekend’s loss to arch-rivals Rangers, Celtic were looking for a win as they close in on a first Scottish Premier League title in three seasons.

After a dull first half, Samaras gave the home side the lead after 65 minutes with a header from Kris Commons’ free-kick.

Just a minute later St Johnstone had what looked like a decent penalty shout ignored when Fran Sandaza fell in the box.

But the visitors’ chances of victory were ruined when Millar turned Samaras’ right-wing cross into his own net.

Celtic are 18 points clear of Rangers and only need a draw at Kilmarnock next weekend to secure the SPL title.

In the other SPL match on Sunday, fans at Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s home ground had to wait an hour to see a goal before an action-packed end to the game saw Hibernian win 3-2.

The home side took the lead in the 60th minute when Greg Tansey scored from the spot, before Hibernian hit back four minutes later through a Paul Hanlon header from a corner.

The visitors then took a 2-1 lead after 75 minutes when Garry O’Connor scored, which was followed by a long-range goal from Inverness midfielder Jonathan Hayes in the 83rd minute to tie the scores again.

But Inverness’ hopes of a draw were blown with just five minutes left when 21-year-old striker Leigh Griffiths hit a low drive past the home side’s goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey into the far bottom corner to clinch a crucial victory for Hibernian.

The win was the Edinburgh-based club’s first since February and means they are now six points clear of the SPL’s bottom club Dunfermline Athletic.