Dundee 0-1 Rangers
Rangers remain top of the Scottish Premiership after they secured a tight 1-0 win away at bottom club Dundee.
Ibrox midfielder Joe Aribo finished a well-worked move to earn the win in the 16th minute.
The home side had chances to get at least a point: Jordan McGhee and Leigh Griffiths were guilty of missing good opportunities.
The big talking point of the game came with just over half an hour remaining as Dundee forward Paul McMullan was hauled down in the penalty box by Rangers’ keeper Jon McLaughlin.
Referee Bobby Madden enraged Dundee boss James McPake by only showing McLaughlin a yellow card.
Ex-Gers striker Jason Cummings’ penalty was then saved by the Scotland international’s legs and Rangers held on for the win.
🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/5MUnqB635F
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 25, 2021
Celtic 1-1 Dundee United
Celtic’s early season difficulties continued as they followed up last weekend’s defeat at Livingston with a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United.
Ange Postecoglu’s side were 1-0 up after sixteen minutes thanks to Liel Abada however the lead lasted only two minutes as Ian Harkes equalised for the visitors.
The Glasgow side missed a series of chances, including Albien Ajeti blasting over from three yards, but could not find the winner much to the frustration of the home support.
Dundee United can also consider themselves unlucky as they have a strong first-half penalty claim denied but will be delighted with the point.
Heart of Midlothian 3-0 Livingston
Hearts kept up their strong start to the season with a dominant 3-0 home victory over struggling Livingston.
Three points, unbeaten run stretches to seven games, and we sit second in the table – a point off the top 💪
📲 https://t.co/Dx99f5u4HW pic.twitter.com/3lBhdyjuB9
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) September 25, 2021
Northern Ireland international Michael Smith with an excellent opener was added to by Liam Boyce converting from the penalty spot before half time. The scoring was completed in the second half by Alex Cochrane.
Hibernian 1-0 St Johnstone
Hibernian also kept up their unbeaten run with a 1-0 win at home to St Johnstone.
Martin Boyle’s penalty in the 61st minute won the game however the visitors were furious with the award with Jamie McCart adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area.
Replays did show the ball hit the arm of the Saints’ defender from close distance, but it looked a soft decision.
McCart was booked for the penalty incident and it got worse for him as he received his marching orders for a second booking fifteen minutes later after the defender sarcastically applauded the assistant referee.
St Johnstone could not find a way back into the match and Hibs held on for the three points.
St Mirren 3-2 Aberdeen
St Mirren came from behind to add to Aberdeen’s woes in a five-goal thriller in Paisley.
Connor Ronan initially put the Buddies ahead but were behind by half-time thanks to a Scott Brown goal and an excellent Christian Ramirez header.
🎯 @ConnorRonan10 at the double in our win over Aberdeen. pic.twitter.com/6aHkQmiEnL
— St Mirren FC (@saintmirrenfc) September 27, 2021
The game turned again in the 51st minute, Teddy Jenks picked up a second yellow and subsequent red card to reduce Aberdeen to ten men.
Ten minutes later St Mirren were 3-2 up, Connor Roman doubling his tally before former Dons striker Curtis Main headed home from close range.
Motherwell 2-1 Ross County
Motherwell emerged 2-1 winners in a hard-fought battle as they hosted Ross County.
Callum Slattery superbly opened the scoring with two minutes on the clock, but County were level as a Regan Charles-Cook cross sneaked its way into the Motherwell net.
Tony Watt stole the points for Motherwell in the 80th minute to carry on the Lanarkshire side’s impressive recent run.
What it means
Rangers lead the table but Hibs, Hearts and Motherwell remain hot on their heels.
👀 A look at the #cinchSPFL league tables after the weekend’s action!
🔝 @RangersFC
🔝 @ICTFC
🔝 @queensparkfc
🔝 @KeltyHeartsFCWho impressed you this weekend? pic.twitter.com/jjJEecukRm
— SPFL (@spfl) September 27, 2021
Celtic have fallen six points behind the Champions and find themselves sixth in the league, one place behind Dundee United.
Aberdeen’s bad run of form continues as they occupy a spot in the bottom half of the table ahead of their conquerors from the weekend, St Mirren, who move up the table to eighth with their first league win of the season.
No change in the bottom three after the defeats for Livingston, Ross County and Dundee – County and Dundee are the only sides without a win this season.
