Scottish Premiership round-up: Wins for Rangers, Celtic and Dundee United at the top end of the table whilst Hearts trip up

Celtic 2-0 St Johnstone

Celtic made it three league wins in a row with a comfortable 2-0 home win against St Johnstone. The Glasgow side have found it difficult to maintain consistency this season, but the recent wins have lifted the mood around Celtic.

The home side took the lead in the 34th minute as St Johnstone displayed the defensive frailties that cost them heavily in last week’s defeat to Livingston.

Josip Juranovic’s shot from outside the box was deflected and looked seemingly harmless, only for Callum Booth to miss his kick, letting the ball fall to Anthony Ralston to tee up Giorgos Giakoumakis’s first goal for his new club.

Zander Clark in the visitors’ goal would keep his side in the game, but the decider arrived ten minutes from time.

St Johnstone failed to clear their lines, allowing Celtic to work the ball to Kyogo who was fouled inside the area by Liam Gordon.

Josip Juranovic converted the penalty to make it 2-0. St Johnstone became the second successive team to fail to register a shot on target against Celtic.

St Mirren 1-2 Rangers

Rangers came from behind with a quick-fire first half double to win in Paisley.

St Mirren got off to the best possible start after four minutes when Connor Roman’s fantastic shot from nearly 30 yards flew into the top corner to put Saints 1-0 ahead.

Ianis Hagi came close to equalising for the Ibrox side and was heavily involved when the goal did arrive. The Romania international was heading out of the penalty area when was he needlessly brought down by Alan Power inside the area.

Whilst Hagi landed outside the penalty box, referee Steven Maclean correctly awarded the spot kick.

Buddies’ ‘keeper Jak Alnwick went the right way, but Kemar Roofe’s penalty was placed well into the corner to tie the score after 42 minutes. Then after 43 minutes, it was 2-1.

James Tavernier’s cross was missed by St Mirren defender Conor McCarthy and found Alfredo Morelos free inside the six-yard box to tap home.

The second half came and went without any further scoring. St Mirren were forced to end the game with ten men after Jamie McGrath was stretchered off after a serious looking injury and his side had already used all substitutions.

Rangers secured another important win having seen rivals Celtic pull to within a point of them.

Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Dundee

Jason Cummings’ late goal for the away side cancelled out John Souttar’s opener as the game ended a point apiece.

Souttar’s excellent curling effort made it 1-0 in before Cummins equalised seven minutes from time. Hearts failed to deal with a simple long-throw and Jason Cummings nodded the ball into the net from close range.

Aberdeen 1-0 Hibernian

Aberdeen’s first league win since August has eased the pressure on manager Stephen Glass.

Christian Ramirez won the game in the 27th minute, coolly side-footing past Matt Macey in the Hibs goal after fine work down the right side by youngster Calvin Ramsey.

Hibs rarely threatened, ending the game a man down after defender Darren McGregor received a second booking deep into injury time.

Dundee United 2-1 Motherwell

Dundee United won again to catch up with Hearts in second place as they overcame Motherwell thanks to a Charlie Mulgrew 77th minute winner and some inspired goalkeeping by Benjamin Siegrist.

Ryan Edwards put United 1-0 ahead after 35 minutes. Tony Watt levelled from the penalty spot with 20 minutes remaining, but Mulgrew prodded home to spark wild celebrations at Tannadice.

Ross County 2-3 Livingston

Tony Parkes headed in a 95th minute winner to give Livingston their second away win in a row.

Harry Clarke had County ahead in the seventh minute with a strike from distance as the Dingwall side looked to finally win for the first time this season.

Ross County’s Jordan White’s penalty was saved by Max Stryjek in the 24th minute and within 20 minutes, Livingston were ahead.

Bruce Anderson’s header in the 31st minute was followed up with a wonderful, curled shot by Odin Bailey just before half-time.

Ross Callachan made it 2-2 after 67 minutes when County were awarded another penalty. The game looked to be heading for a draw until Tom Parkes headed in a 95th minute winner for another impressive away Livingston win.

What it means

Rangers maintain top spot, three points ahead of Hearts and Dundee United. Celtic are a point further back in fourth.

🏆 It was another exciting weekend of #cinchPrem, #cinchChamp & #cinchL1 action.

Here’s how the league tables are shaping up. 👀

🔝 @RangersFC
🔝 @ICTFC
🔝 @queensparkfc pic.twitter.com/pZs2b8cwEQ

— SPFL (@spfl) October 25, 2021

Hibs, Motherwell, and St Mirren are separated by two points, Aberdeen are up to eighth after their overdue win. Livingston leapfrog St Johnstone, who fall to 10th.

Ross County find themselves four points adrift at the bottom of the league, chasing Dundee, who still occupy the relegation play-off spot.