The early season top three all dropped points as Celtic recorded the only home win of the Premiership weekend while Rangers returned to winning ways in the league. There were also wins for Motherwell and Dundee United.
Celtic 6-0 St Mirren
Celtic’s David Turnbull scored a career first hat-trick as the Glasgow side strolled to victory at home to St Mirren to make it back-to-back 6-0 league wins.
The visitors came into the game missing manager Jim Goodwin from the dugout with the Buddies’ boss requiring to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid.
Celtic had already hit the woodwork through David Turnbull before summer signing Liel Abada opened the scoring in the 17th minute benefiting from an error from Jak Alnwick in the St Mirren goal.
Two minutes later St Mirren were reduced to ten men.
Alan Power was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on midfielder Turnbull. Things went from bad to worse for the away side as Abada doubled his tally on the 22nd minute, smartly heading a Greg Taylor cross beyond Alnwick.
St Mirren did have the ball in the back of the net shortly after with Curtis Main converting from close range. However, the linesman flagged for offside, and the goal was ruled out despite Celtic right back Anthony Ralston clearly playing Main onside.
Just before the half-hour mark, David Turnbull was given far too much space and his strike from outside the box wrong-footed the St Mirren goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
The Scotland international then claimed his second of the afternoon finishing from six yards after Alnwick failed to deal with an Abada cross.
Odsonne Edouard made it 5-0 after 62 minutes as Celtic threatened to run up a cricket score. Turnbull completed his hat-trick six minutes from time to round up the scoring on a day Celtic registered 37 shots on goal.
Ross County 2-4 Rangers
Champions Rangers bounced back from defeat at Dundee United with a 4-2 win away to Ross County in an entertaining game on Sunday.
Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo put his side in front with an excellent curling shot which was followed up four minutes later by a Connor Goldson header to put the Ibrox club 2-0 up after 19 minutes.
Arsenal-loanee Harry Clarke pulled a goal back for the Highlanders five minutes before half-time. The defender finishing after Alex Iacovitti’s shot was saved by Rangers keeper Allan McGregor.
Rangers restored their two-goal advantage thanks to Alfredo Morelos 11 minutes into the second half. The Colombian striker’s left foot shot finding its way into the bottom corner of Ross Laidlaw’s goal.
An exciting final 13 minutes was set up as Jordan White converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-2 after Calvin Bassey was adjudged to have blocked Blair Spittal’s shot with his hand.
Any hopes of a comeback for Malky Mackay’s County were ended in the 84th minute with Scott Arfield first to react to Laidlaw’s save from a Morelos shot.
Rangers had chances to add to the scoring in the closing stages, but the game finished 4-2 with a much-needed league win ahead of Celtic’s visit to Ibrox on Sunday.
Other games:
Livingston 1-2 Motherwell
Motherwell came from behind on Saturday to win away at Livingston, who are still yet to register a point this season.
Full-time.
Liam Grimshaw’s winner get us all three points 👏
Tony Watt with the equaliser and the assist for the winner.
Livingston 1-2 Motherwell.
// #LFCvMFC pic.twitter.com/HNXHF4c3Sh
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) August 21, 2021
Livingston’s Ayo Obileye had a goal questionably disallowed before Alan Forrest eventually put last season’s League Cup finalists ahead after 38 minutes.
Motherwell forward Tony Watt found himself alone in the six-yard box to head home Motherwell’s equaliser shortly after the break before Liam Grimshaw scored a close-range winner 11 minutes from time.
Dundee 2-2 Hibernian
Dundee improved from their 6-0 Celtic defeat to get a hard-earned point at home to Hibs, who remain the early league leaders on goal difference.
Dundee striker Jason Cummings scored against his former club in 11 minutes finishing from 8 yards.
Hibs equalised through Australia international Martin Boyle’s 39th minute penalty awarded when Christie Elliot brought down Jamie Murphy in the box.
There were chances for both sides before Ryan Porteous finished well from a Kyle Magennis corner to put the visitors 2-1 up which looked to be enough to earn the win, but Dundee midfielder Paul McGowan headed home to make it 2-2 with seven minutes remaining and end Hibs 100% winning start.
Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Aberdeen
Both sides went into Sunday’s game with two wins from their opening two games.
Christian Ramirez saw his chance well saved by Hearts’ keeper Craig Gordon in a first half with few clear-cut opportunities.
Aberdeen had a second-half penalty claim turned down when Hearts midfielder Peter Haring kicked the ball against his arm. Gary Mackay-Steven then missed a chance to put the home side ahead.
The deadlock was broken on 56 minutes when Hearts’ striker Liam Boyce scored from the penalty spot after Declan Gallagher fouled Mackay-Steven.
Funso Ojo netted for Aberdeen fifteen minutes later finishing well from half-time substitute Dean Campbell’s cross.
St Johnstone 0-1 Dundee Utd
Last season’s cup double winners, St Johnstone, are still searching for their first league win of the season after defeat against local rivals Dundee United.
Dundee United midfielder Peter Pawlett poked home the winner on the hour mark in a feisty game. Pawlett’s fortune did change as he was shown a second yellow card for simulation in the 78th minute.
Dundee United’s 10 men saw the game out to record another impressive victory to follow up their success against Rangers in their previous league encounter.
Overview
How the table looks after three weeks:
