Scottish Premier League wrap: Hearts leave it late

A late Kevin Kyle goal saw Hearts keep up the pressure on Rangers and Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The former Sunderland forward struck with just four minutes remaining to fire Hearts to a 1-0 victory over Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby.

In a hotly contested match, Kyle scored the game’s only goal after nodding Arvydas Novikovas’ cross past Hibs goalkeeper Mark Brown, who despite getting a hand on the ball, could not stop it from entering the back of the net.

The win lifts Hibs – who sit third – to just two points behind Celtic, and three behind Rangers.

The top two sides face off in the Old Firm derby at Ranger’s Ibrox Stadium on Sunday.

Elsewhere on New Year’s Day, an injury time equaliser to David Goodwillie gave Dundee United a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen.

Under new manager Craig Brown, Aberdeen have lifted themselves off the foot of the table and impressed in recent weeks.

Christopher Maguire’s 35th minute goal looked to have wrapped up a victory for Brown’s side, but Goodwillie’s late intervention have the visitors a point and silenced the home fans.

In the day’s other match, Hamilton and Motherwell played out a drab goalless draw at New Douglas Park.