World NewsScottish Premier League Round Up |
A Shunsuke Nakamura hat-trick and a Scott Brown double against 10-man St Mirren helped Celtic to a 7-0 romp at home to St Mirren, and within just four goals of Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Buddies defender Jack Ross was sent off in the first half at 1-0 for a penalty-box foul on Scott McDonald with St Mirren goalkeeper Chris Smith saving Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's spot-kick.The champions ran riot after the break however - scoring five, with Spanish midfielder Marc Crosas grabbing his first goal and Saints defender John Potter scoring an own goal to complete a nightmare afternoon for the visitors.
Barry Ferguson had earlier claimed his first goal of the season to secure the points for Rangers with a 1-0 win at Hamilton.
An under-strength Hearts moved five points clear in third place, after Michael Stewart fired the only goal away to top-four rivals Dundee United.
Hearts played without a recognised striker for the whole match, but Stewart drove home a 62nd-minute winner with their only shot on target.
United were handed a lifeline in the shape of a controversial late penalty, but Janos Balogh saved Francisco Sandaza's poor effort.
Aberdeen dropped two precious points in their bid to qualify for Europe in a disappointing goalless draw with Kilmarnock at Pittodrie.
Motherwell made it nine league games unbeaten when they won 2-1 at Inverness.
An Inverness defensive blunder was punished by John Sutton, but Grant Munro hauled the home side level before the break.
However, a classy goal from on-loan Cillian Sheridan sealed the points for the in-form Steelmen to heap the pressure on the bottom side.
A goalless draw did nothing to ease the pressure mounting on Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen and his Falkirk counterpart John Hughes.
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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