Celtic beat St Mirren 2-0 at home to maintain their three-point lead in the Scottish Premiership while Rangers edged out lowly St Johnstone as both sides bounced back from weekend draws.
Cameron Carter-Vickers broke the deadlock at Celtic Park with a strike 10 minutes into the second half. The American defender volleyed home from inside the six-yard box from Jota’s free kick, to ease growing frustration among the home fans after Sunday’s goalless draw at Hibernian.
The Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou, brought on Tom Rogic and James Forrest as the hosts continued to press their organised opponents – but it took until the 81st minute for Celtic to secure victory when Callum McGregor fired home from Josip Juranovic’s cross.
Rangers stayed three points behind their rivals with a 1-0 win at struggling St Johnstone. Glen Kamara’s third-minute goal proved enough as the defending champions secured their first away league win in five games.
The Finland international beat the offside trap from Alfredo Morelos’ pass and finished past Saints keeper Elliot Parish to give Rangers the perfect start. Morelos hit the post before half-time with Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo also going close before James Tavernier’s short back header almost let Ali Crawford in to equalise for the hosts.
Dundee are just a point behind the Saints in what looks a two-horse race to beat the drop after drawing 0-0 at home with Hibernian – their first point under new manager Mark McGhee. The hosts may feel it should have been even better after Hibs’ Rocky Bushiri was sent off just before the hour.
Aberdeen are nine points above St Johnstone in 10th despite a 2-0 defeat at Hearts, who tightened their grip on third place. John Souttar and Stephen Kingsley scored either side of the interval before Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson saw his 70th-minute penalty saved by Craig Gordon.
Livingston moved up to fourth after coming from behind to triumph 2-1 at home to Dundee United. Ryan Edwards’ late own goal settled things after Scott Pitman had cancelled out Liam Smith’s opener. Ross County moved up to eighth with a 1-0 win at Motherwell, sealed by Joseph Hungbo’s early penalty.