SPL wrap: Hooper tips hat for Celtic, Aberdeen snatch draw

Celtic continued their resurgence to catch arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premier League with a 5-0 rout of St Mirren on Saturday.

Neil Lennon’s men made it four consecutive wins in the league at Celtic Park, as Gary Hooper struck a hat-trick, with Georgios Samaras and Dylan McGeough also netting to cut the gap on Rangers to four points, albeit having played an extra game.

The home side were 2-0 up inside eight minutes to the delight of the home fans, with each of Hooper and Samaras on target early.

Hooper finished off his treble in the space of four second-half minutes, before McGeough added the cream to a comfortable victory for Celtic in Glasgow.

Third-placed Motherwell were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Dundee United at Fir Park, and they are now five points shy of Celtic in second spot.

Aberdeen snapped a three-game losing streak in remarkable fashion, stealing a 3-3 draw late away at Dunfermline Athletic’s East End Park.

Craig Brown’s men trailed 3-1 heading into the final 10 minutes of play, but an own goal from Athletic’s Alex Keddie paved the way for Josh Magennis to equalise to move Aberdeen one point clear of bottom side Inverness.

Inverness slumped to a 2-1 defeat away to Hearts – their first win in five matches.

Eggert Jonsson struck the winner for Hearts at Tynecastle Stadium in the 76th minute to send them fifth in the league.

St Johnstone came from behind to clinch a 3-1 win at home to Hibernian to maintain fourth spot in the table.