SPL wrap: Wins for Celtic, Rangers

Celtic maintained their five-point lead ahead of rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premier League with a 4-0 triumph over Hearts on Wednesday.

Teenage winger James Forrest netted in the seventh minute at Celtic Park on his return from suspension, but his elation at scoring was quickly subdued by his substitution in the 24th minute due to injury.

Ireland international Anthony Stokes scored a second-half brace to all but sew up the result, before Forrest’s replacement Patrick McCourt added his name to the scoresheet with an 80th-minute goal to complete the runaway victory.

Rangers kept in touch of the league leaders with a 2-0 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road Stadium.

Walter Smith’s men have two games in hand on Celtic and kept the pressure on their Old Firm rivals with goals to Madjid Bougherra and Nikica Jelavic, the latter celebrating his first start in a Rangers top in nearly four months.

Aberdeen struck just before and after the half-time break to take all three points from their trip to Inverness’ Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Midfielder Ryan Jack, 18, scored in the 44th minute, before Nick Blackman doubled Aberdeen’s advantage four minutes after the break.

St Johnstone’s Liam Craig scored the only goal in their 1-0 victory over Motherwell at McDiarmid Park.

St Mirren and Dundee United shared the points at 1-1 in their clash at St Mirren Park, after Scott Robertson’s goal in the dying stages cancelled out Darren McGregor’s opener for the home side.