SPL wrap: Celtic move clear as Rangers stumble

Celtic kicked five points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.

Neil Lennon’s side took full advantage of Rangers’ slip-up in the early kick-off at Hearts with another three points which takes them closer to winning their first SPL title since 2007/08.

Celtic went into the game against Aberdeen on a 10-match unbeaten run but their opponents were not in bad form either, undefeated in five under new manager Craig Brown.

But Celtic were unfazed and took the game to their opponents, opening the scoring through Anthony Stokes after 27 minutes.

The Glasgow-based side were unable to add to their lead, making for some nervy moments towards the end, but managed to hang on for all three points.

The win rubbed further salt into the wounds of Rangers, who lost 1-0 to Hearts earlier in the day.

Ryan Stevenson’s goal 13 minutes from time was enough to send a 16,737-strong Tynecastle Stadium crowd wild, with Hearts completing the home league double over Celtic and Rangers.

The result sees Hearts just two points behind second-placed Rangers and seven behind Celtic, meaning instead of the usual two-horse race between the two Glasgow sides, three teams are in contention for the SPL title.

In other matches, two goals in four minutes from Jamie Murphy and Steven Saunders gave Motherwell a 2-0 win over Hibernian while Garry Kenneth’s injury-time strike gave Dundee United a point in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle and bottom side Hamilton Academical also played out a 1-1 draw while St Johnstone and St Mirren also could not be separated in a 0-0 draw.