Celtic 2 St Johnstone 0
Two injury-time goals by Celtic's South Koreans earned them a hard-fought win over stuffy St Johnstone. Georgios Samaras and Daryl Murphy - twice - saw attemps saved by Peter Enckleman and as the game wore on Celtic grew increasingly desperate, with the mazy runs of Paddy McCourt looking their best chance of creating an opening. Murphy and Niall McGinn both saw claims for a penalty in the later stages turned down by ref Calum Murray and when sub Olivier Kapo's unorthodox shot rebounded from the bar, it seemed Celtic's miserable home run was set to continue. But in the first minute of stoppage time, Cha Du-Ri cut inside and blasted in the opener to sicken Saints, then two minutes later his countryman Ki Sung-Yeung finished a great solo run to seal the win. Celtic confirmed after the game they have invited former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg, who's been playing in the MLS in the USA, for a week's training at the club.

Hibernian 1 Aberdeen 2
Craig Brown got off to a winning start as Aberdeen manager in an entertaining encounter at Easter Road. Yoann Folly opened the scoring nine minutes before the break after Scott Vernon had created the opening with a run and low cross, but Hibs levelled when Derek Riordan turned in his eighth goal of the season after Jamie Langfield had parried John Rankin's drive. However Aberdeen went back in front when Vernon bundled in Paul Hartley's cross and Aberdeen could have added more goals through Josh Magennis, who saw three efforts blocked. The result lifts Aberdeen off the foot of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table but sees Hibs slump to tenth.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 St Mirren 2
Saints came from behind to record a fine win at Inverness. The home side went in front when Marc McAusland deflected the ball on to the bar and Lee Cox scored from the rebound. But Steven Thomson levelled out of the blue just before the interval when Craig Dargo set him up for a powerful left-foot finish. And Thomson won it when his long-range effort left Ryan Esson flat-footed.

Motherwell 1 Rangers 4
Kenny Miller grabbed a double as the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions recorded their first win at Fir Park in six visits to stay two points clear of Celtic. Rangers were commanding from the start and Stevie Naismith saw his effort deflected on to the bar and Keith Lasley cleared off the line from the same player before the visitors went ahead. Madjid Bougherra played a one-two with Naismith before his cut-back was turned in by Miller for his 21st goal of the season. Rangers increased their lead when Vladimir Weiss' free-kick was turned into his own net by defender Steven Saunders. Managerless Motherwell pulled one back early in the second-half when John Sutton - a sub for the ill Tom Hateley - took advantage of a mix-up between Bougherra and David Weir to turn the ball in. But any hopes Motherwell had of continuing their good recent home record against Rangers quickly faded when Steven Davis set up Weiss for his side's third goal. And the Slovakian was involved in the fourth when his quickly-taken free-kick was turned home by Miller. The Scotland striker was denied a hat-trick by a good save by Darren Randolph following sub Jamie Ness's pass, but Rangers ended comfortable winners.

The other SPL matches betweeen Dundee United and Hamilton Accies, and Kilmarnock v Hearts fell victim to the weather.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 27 December 2010