Celtic 4 Hearts 0
Celtic dented Hearts' hopes of a title push with a comprehensive win at Celtic Park.  The outcome was never in doubt after James Forrest took Scott Brown's pass and blasted past Marian Kello after seven minutes.  Anthony Stokes curled in the second from a free-kick shortly after the break after Ismael Bouzid pulled down Emilio Izaguirre on the edge of the box.  The Irishman added a third when Gary Hooper was brought down by Kello running on to Beram Kayal's pass but before a penalty could be awarded, Stokes stroked the ball in.  Substitute Paddy McCourt slotted in the fourth from Brown's pass to wrap up a comfortable win for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table-toppers.  Hearts recent form deserted them and they barely managed a shot at goal, the only downside for Celtic was a recurrence of Forrest's hamstring strain which saw him substituted in the first-half.

Hibernian 0 Rangers 2
Rangers romped to an easy win against struggling Hibs thanks to two first-half goals.  Madjid Bougherra volleyed the opener after 26 minutes after Ian Murray had headed Vladimir Weiss' free-kick out to him.  The game was effectively over nine minutes later when Nikica Jelavic latched on to loan defender Richie Towell's pass-back and beat Graeme Smith for the second.  Hibs had a flurry of attacks after the break but never looked close to scoring and they have now gone 11 games without a win.  Rangers remain five points behind leaders Celtic with two games in hand.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Aberdeen 2
Aberdeen's good run continued with a fine win against ten-man Inverness CT.  The home side were reduced to ten men after only 18 minutes when Grant Munro was shown a straight red card by referee Steve Conroy for an off-the-ball incident.  Aberdeen took advantage either side of half-time.  First Ryan Jack sent his side in ahead with a superb shot from 25 yards, then shortly after the interval Nick Blackman scored his first Aberdeen goal from Chris Maguire's cross.  Inverness CT haven't won in ten Clydesdale Bank Premier League games, while the Dons are now ten points ahead of bottom club Hamilton.

St Johnstone 1 Motherwell 0
Saints' good run continued with a spot-kick win over Motherwell.  The home side dominated a poor first-half but it was the visitors who went closest with a Jamie Murphy effort which was cleared off the line by Dave Mackay.  However Saints won it from a penalty awarded against 'Well skipper Stephen Craigan for handball, with Liam Craig converting.  Motherwell pushed for a late leveller but Chris Humphrey's effort flew just wide.

St Mirren 1 Dundee United 1
United needed a late goal to claim another draw.  Saints went ahead when Darren McGregor headed in Juve Travner's corner eight minutes before the interval.  They looked to have held out for victory after two David Goodwillie efforts rebounded from the bar after the break but with two minutes left, Goodwillie's cross was met by substitute David Robertson, whose looping header beat Paul Gallacher.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 27 January 2011