Celtic maintain lead with 4-0 thumping of Motherwell

Celtic kept their commanding lead at the top of the Premiership table with a thumping 4-0 win at Motherwell.

Callum McGregor and Leigh Griffiths combined to set up Odsonne Edouard in the ninth minute and though the Frenchman’s first effort was unsuccessful he pounced on the loose ball to score the opener.

Celtic doubled their lead after the restart when McGregor burst down the left and picked out Griffiths, who placed a low shot past Mark Gillespie. Mcgregor then got on the scoresheet himself, collecting a poass from James Forrest on the edge of the box and lifting the ball into the air before firing home a volley.

Edouard wrapped up the scoring with a smartly hit free kick as Neil Lennon’s side enjoyed an emphatic victory over the league’s third-placed side.

Ianis Hagi scored the winner for Rangers. SNS

Second-placed Rangers were looking to turn the corner after losing ground recently and they had to come from behind to beat Hibs.

Paul Hanlon silenced Ibrox when he put the visitors ahead with a close-range finish after Allan McGregor had failed to deal with a Scott Allan free kick. Rangers pushed to get back into the game and got their reward on the stroke of half time when George Edmunson thumped in a volley.

Steven Gerrard’s side sealed victory with five minutes to go when new signing Ianis Hagi scored his first goal for the club.

Kilmarnock surged to a 3-0 lead at Tynecastle. SNS

Kilmarnock were 3-2 winners over Hearts at Tynecastle. Stuart Findlay headed in the first from a corner and Chris Burke doubled his side’s lead when he latched on to a long ball and chipped Hearts keeper Joel Pereira.

Killie looked to have sealed three points after 52 minutes when Eamonn Brophy turned John Souttar before putting his side 3-0 up.

But there was late drama as Laurentiu Branescu conceded a penalty that Sean Clare tucked away to make it 3-1, only for Branescu to be sent off in the aftermath. Hearts pushed to make the most of their advantage and got a second through Craig Halkett.

Daniel Stendel’s players couldn’t find the equaliser they needed though and slip back to the bottom of the table.

After drawing with Rangers at Ibrox last time out, Aberdeen fell to home defeat against St Johnstone.

Ali McCann got his second goal in two games as he lifted the ball over Joe Lewis. Accies were then unlucky not to go further in front when Marios Ogkmpoe saw his fierce shot tipped on to the bar by Vaclav Hladky.

Billy McKay scored twice for Ross County against Livingston. SNS

Billy McKay was the hero as Ross County ran out 2-0 winners over Livingston in Dingwall. McKay put County ahead after just three minutes with a finish from 12 yards. The striker then scored his second early in the second half, rounding Robby McCrorie before finishing.

Mickel Miller missed a late penalty for Accies. SNS

There was a tense affair in Paisley as St Mirren and Hamilton met with both sides looking to take a valuable three points in the fight at the bottom of the table.

David Templeton, who rejoined Accies last week, showed his worth when he put the visitors ahead in Paisley with a low drive. St Mirren drew level in the second half when Ilkay Durmus curled in a left-footed shot that Luke Southwood couldn’t stop. Hamilton’s Mickel Miller missed a late penalty and the sides had to settle for a 1-1 draw.