Motherwell 1-3 St Johnstone
Peter MacDonald hit the first hat-trick of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season and Saints' first-ever in the division to shock Motherwell.  The home side made four changes from the team thumped 6-1 at Ibrox last week and  went in front when Steve Jennings headed in Yassin Moutaouakil's cross just before the interval.  But MacDonald levelled when he turned in Chris Millar's cross at the far post then an identikit move between the same players saw Saints take the lead.  Millar was again provider as MacDonald added the third, making it a miserable day for Motherwell, who have lost twelve goals in their last three games.  Saints, meanwhile, moved within a point of the Fir Park side in the table.

Celtic 2-0 Hamilton Academical
Celtic were well on top but needed a last-minute goal to secure victory against battling Hamilton.  Glenn Loovens volleyed the home side in front after 14 minutes from Barry Robson's corner but although Celtic dominated they couldn't make their pressure pay, to the frustration of the home support.  Hamilton had a great chance to snatch a shock point ten minutes from time when Marco Paixao fluffed an open goal from Mickael Antoine-Curier's pass.  The ball spun up and hit his elbow and although his brother Flavio put the ball in the net, it was disallowed for handball.  Celtic tied it up through sub Niall McGinn, who fired past Tomas Cerny from the edge of the box in the closing seconds.
 
Dundee United 0-0 Kilmarnock
Stand-in Tannadice boss Peter Houston was left frustrated as United failed to score for the third game in succession.  Sean Dillon saw a drive rebound from the bar and Craig Bryson came close with a 30-yard volley but United were disappointing.  Kilmarnock twice had the ball in the net - Mark Burchill saw his effort disallowed for a foul on Nicky Weaver, while Kevin Kyle's second-half header was chalked off for offside.  Jim Jefferies' side had further problems when defender Simon Ford was injured in a clash of heads and is doubtful for Wednesday's game against Celtic.
 
Falkirk 0-1 Hearts
Michael Stewart's second penalty of the week was enough to win it for Hearts and leave Falkirk at the bottom of the table.  Stewart converted just before the interval after Darren Barr fouled Jose Goncalves.  The win put Hearts into the top six for the first time this season - and manager Csaba Laszlo has admitted he's keen on bringing former Rangers striker Steve MacLean to Tynecastle as he aims to bolster his squad during the January transfer window.  Falkirk Manager Eddie May criticised his side and admitted they got what they deserved from the game.
 
Hibernian 1-4 Rangers (Sunday)
Rangers cemented their four-point lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after a comprehensive win at Easter Road.  They bounced back from a horror start after Anthony Stokes put the home team ahead from Merouane Zemmama's pass after 13 seconds.  Kris Boyd set Kenny Miller up for the leveller then Madjid Bougherra crossed for Boyd to put Rangers in front.  Home 'keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay was at fault as Nacho Novo made it 3-1 with a cross-cum-shot shortly after half-time and Boyd was again provider for Miller to wrap up the scoring with his third consecutive double.  Rangers were also able to give Maurice Edu his first appearance of the season as a second-half sub.

St Mirren v Aberdeen
Postponed on police advice because of weather conditions.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 28 December 2009