Livingston 1-3 Rangers

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s league debut got off to a winning start but it took a late goal to see off Livingston.

Rangers started brightly and took an early lead in eight minutes, Scott Arfield finishing well with a lob over Max Stryjek. Eight minutes later, it was 2-0. Joe Aribo curled an excellent left-footed shot in off the underside of the crossbar. Rangers’ afternoon looked to be a comfortable one, but Livingston got themselves back into the game with thirty minutes played. Allan Forrest drove into the Rangers box; his effort was saved by Allan McGregor only to be met by Bruce Anderson’s diving header to pull it back to 2-1. Shortly afterwards Livi were nearly level, but McGregor produced an excellent point-blank save to deny Forrest at the back post.

The second half was delayed to clear the pitch of snow thrown from the stands by the travelling Rangers support. When it did resume, Max Stryjek’s kept his side in the game, saving from Iannis Hagi and Joe Aribo. The game was decided in the 78^th minute after a James Tavernier corner was met by Fashion Sakala to head in Rangers’ third.

Celtic 2-1 Aberdeen

Celtic secured victory thanks to a strange Callum McGregor goal after Aberdeen had levelled from the penalty spot.

The Glasgow side came into Sunday’s game knowing their rivals Rangers had already picked up full points at Livingston and looked to be easily on their way when Jota scored after twenty minutes. In the 33^rd minute, it was Lewis Ferguson who provided the equaliser; David Bates was fouled by Liel Abada, with Ferguson sending Hart the wrong way.

Celtic pressed to regain the lead but were met by solid Aberdeen resistance. However, with half an hour remaining, the home side were handed a huge slice of luck for their second goal. Aberdeen ‘keeper Joe Lewis got down to block Jota from six yards out, but Dons’ midfielder Jonny Hayes’ attempted clearance rebounded off Callum McGregor past the helpless Lewis. Celtic came close to adding a third goal through Stephen Walsh and then Anthony Ralston, but it took a Juranovic goal-line clearance to prevent Lewis Ferguson getting a late equaliser.

Heart of Midlothian 2-0 St Mirren

Hearts were made to work hard for their win, helped along the way by a spectacular Stephen Kingsley free kick.

St Mirren had the better of the chances in the opening period – Charles Dunne was thwarted by Craig Gordon before Richard Tait’s goal was ruled out for offside.

After the break, Hearts’ Gary Mackay-Steven tested Jak Alnwick, but the Buddies continued creating opportunities: Jamie McGrath’s powerful shot met by Gordon before the Scotland international required the help of attacker Liam Boyce to clear Marcus Fraser’s header off the line.  The first goal arrived in the 61^st minute, where Barrie McKay’s blocked shot fell to Gary Mackay-Steven to pass the ball into the corner of the net from twelve yards. With fifteen minutes remaining, a spectacular thirty-yard free kick from Stephen Kingsley curled into Alnwick’s top left corner. St Mirren would finish the game with ten men, as Joe Shaughnessy was shown a second yellow in injury time.

St Johnstone 1-2 Hibernian

A late turnaround gave Hibs the points as they came from behind to defeat ten-man St Johnstone, ending a run of defeats stretching back five games.

The visitors thought they had taken an early lead, but Kevin Nisbet’s goal was ruled out for offside in what looked to be a tight decision. It would be Saints who would score first: Liam Gordon’s 40^th minute header going in via Hibs’ Ryan Porteous who would be credited with the own goal. However, five minutes after going a goal up, St Johnstone were a man down. Craig Bryson had already been booked when he received a second yellow for a foul on Joe Newell.

Hibs utilised their numerical advantage, dominating the second half. Kevin Nisbet was again denied a goal, his header past Zander Clark ruled for a foul by Porteous on Jamie McCart. The equaliser finally arrived in the 83^rd minute, Kevin Nisbet finishing from ten yards. Four minutes later, the turnaround was complete. Scott Allan was the creator as he set up Jamie Murphy to win the game for his side’s first away win since the opening day of the season at Motherwell.

Dundee 3-0 Motherwell

Dundee brushed past Motherwell for their first win league win against the Lanarkshire side since April 2017. First half goals from Luke McCowan and Danny Mullen put the Dee’s 2-0 ahead at the interval. Motherwell failed to take the initiative in the second half and Ryan Sweeney rounded off the scoring in the 49^th minute.

Ross County 1-1 Dundee United

County fought back with ten men to salvage a point in injury time to keep in touch at the bottom of the league. Louise Appéré fired United in front four minutes into the second half. United looked set for the points when Harry Clarke received a second yellow card with fifteen minutes to play. It was the 93^rd minute when Joseph Hungbo’s free kick was bundled in at the back post by Jack Baldwin.

What it means…

Rangers, Celtic and Hearts continue to occupy the top three places and move further clear of Dundee United in fourth. Following their defeat, Motherwell are fifth. Ross County remain bottom after their draw, just three points from safety.

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📋 Here is your @cinchuk Premiership table after today’s games! pic.twitter.com/7kN2lJZW2e

— SPFL (@spfl) November 28, 2021