Rangers 2-1 Hibernian
Alfredo Morelos’s 78th minute header secured Rangers a 2-1 comeback victory to end Hibernian’s unbeaten start. The match hinged on a red card for Ryan Porteous after half an hour which swung the game in Rangers’ favour.
FULL-TIME: Rangers 2-1 Hibernian
Three points for #RangersFC 💪 pic.twitter.com/pLGvtwcx1I
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 3, 2021
The visitors started well and took the lead in the eighth minute as Scotland international Kevin Nisbet headed home Chris Cadden’s cross.
Hibs were in control of the game, looking dangerous going forward whilst restricting Rangers’ attacking threat as the home side struggled to create any clear-cut chances.
The turning point came as Hibs’ defender Ryan Porteous was shown a red card for a challenge on Joe Aribo. Whilst Porteous won the ball, his challenge was rash and deemed dangerous with the decision splitting opinion with fans across the country.
Rangers continued to struggle to create meaningful chances until five minutes after coming off the bench, Kemar Roofe got on the end of Nathan Patterson’s cross to make it 1-1 on the hour mark. The Gers pushed for the win without overly threatening Hibs’ ‘keeper Matt Macey’s goal before Borna Barisic’s whipped cross was nodded in by Morelos to make it 2-1.
It was an unconvincing performance from Rangers but a much-celebrated victory that keeps them at the top of the table.
Aberdeen 1-2 Celtic
Celtic finally secured an away league victory for the first time since February as Aberdeen continued their dismal run.
The Glasgow side looked to be off and running after 11 minutes when striker Kyogo Furuhashi chested home David Turnbull’s fantastic cross to put Celtic in front.
Aberdeen improved after the break and looked to be extending Celtic’s away woes when Calvin Ramsay’s corner was met by the head of Lewis Ferguson to equalise.
Ex-Celtic captain Scott Brown nearly put Aberdeen ahead, in what would have been a sensational twist, but his effort was stopped by Joe Hart in the Celic goal.
The winner came in the 84th minute, Adam Montgomery finding on-loan Benfica attacker Jota six yards out to poke the ball into the net for a much needed win for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Heart of Midlothian 2-0 Motherwell
Hearts remain the only unbeaten team in the league after seeing off fourth-placed Motherwell 2-0 at Tynecastle.
The Edinburgh club took the lead in the fifth minute from the penalty spot as Liam Boyce converted after Motherwell keeper Liam Kelly clumsily brought the Hearts striker down.
In the 22nd minute, Hearts went 2-0 up after Stephen Kingsley’s free kick found the top corner. Hearts were awarded another penalty within ten minutes of the second half, only this time Liam Kelly saved Boyce’s spot kick to prevent a third goal.
Motherwell did have chances in the game only to be denied by Hearts’ excellent stopper Craig Gordon, as he helped his side see out the victory.
St Johnstone 3-1 Dundee
Saints’ Tayside derby victory piles the misery onto Dundee who put in an abject performance against their rivals.
St Johnstone’s Chris Kane scored a first half double, his excellently executed 31st minute strike was followed up eight minutes later as he slid home from Stevie May’s cross.
Stevie May put the game beyond Dundee with just over thirty seconds of the second half played by making it 3-0.
Dundee did push to get themselves back into the game but Ryan Sweeney’s 74th minute goal was too little too late.
Dundee United 1-0 Ross County
Dundee United scraped past struggling Ross County thanks to a 31st minute Ilmari Niskanen goal. His effort was straight at Ashley Maynard Brewer, but the County ‘keeper could only parry it into his own net.
Dominic Samuel thought he had equalised for the visitors, but his strike was ruled out for offside.
Livingston 0-1 St Mirren
Another goalkeeping error decided the game in Livingston where St Mirren took home the three points.
Ethan Erhahon’s shot from the angle of the penalty area looked like it should have been comfortably dealt with by Max Stryjek, however the ball skidded past the Livi ‘keeper and into the net.
What it means
Despite some concerns about their recent performances, Rangers end the weekend top of the league.
Hearts’ win moves them into second place, one point behind the leaders, three clear of third placed Hibs’.
Motherwell remain fourth despite their fine recent run ending at Tynecastle.
Dundee United’s steady form has them fifth in the league, whilst Celtic’s win does nothing for their league position, they remain in sixth place and six points behind Old Firm rivals Rangers.
St Mirren and St Johnstone lead the bottom six clubs and Aberdeen’s troubling run sees them fall into ninth place.
Livingston remain ahead of the winless duo, Ross County and Dundee, who prop up the table.
