Celtic 4 Motherwell 0
Celtic's new boys Mo Bangura and Badr El Kaddouri made their Parkhead debuts - but youngster James Forrest was the star as they overcame Motherwell.  Anthony Stokes' low cross was fired in by the winger after nine minutes to give Celtic the lead, and Stokes set up Joe Ledley for his side's second just after the half-hour.  Ledley provided the opening for Ki Sung Yeung to fire the third halfway through the second-half and Forrest completed the scoring when his drive was deflected past Darren Randolph.  The win moved Celtic two points ahead of Motherwell and a point behind Rangers with next weekend's Old Firm meeting looming.  Motherwell, meanwhile, have taken just one point from their last seven visits to Celtic Park and have a new injury worry over defender Shaun Hutchinson, who was replaced during the first-half.

Dundee United 0 Rangers 1
Rangers kept their fifth successive Clydesdale Bank Premier League clean sheet to stay top of the table.  Kyle Lafferty's second-half goal was enough to earn them the points as well as their 100th league win over ten-man United.  Lafferty had forced Dusan Pernis into an early save before United were reduced to ten men when Johnny Russell was red-carded for aiming a headbutt at Kirk Broadfoot after half-an-hour.  Rangers took advantage and Scotland's midweek goal hero Steven Naismith almost opened the scoring just before the interval but shot over.  Pernis twice denied Lafferty early in the second-half but the Northern Irishman headed in Gregg Wylde's cross just after the hour to grab the points.  Steven Davis saw an effort rebound from both posts but spin clear as Rangers continued to dominate even without the injured Nikica Jelavic.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 Hearts 1
Stephen Elliott's late goal earned Hearts a point in the third consecutive 1-1 draw between the sides.  Gregory Tade put the home side ahead five minutes into the second-half when Nick Ross took advantage of Jamie MacDonald's slip to set up the chance.  Hearts substitute David Templeton hit the bar before he and Mahdi Taouil created the opening for Elliott, whose drive went in off the post to beat Ryan Esson nine minutes from time.

Kilmarnock 3 Dunfermline 2
Killie came from behind to grab the points in a thriller at Rugby Park.  Paul Burns had already hit the post for the visitors before Andy Kirk's header hit the bar and Jason Thomson scored from the rebound to put the Pars in front.  However Kilmarnock levelled when Alex Keddie brought down James Dayton and Paul Heffernan scored from the spot - and Heffernan put his side in front on the stroke of half-time from Dean Shiels' pass.  Although half-time Dunfermline sub Ryan Thomson turned in Joe Cardle's cross to make it 2-2, KIllie clinched it with a composed finish by giant defender Zdenek Kroca to seal the win.

St Mirren 0 St Johnstone 0
A Paisley stalemate saw the fifth draw in the last seven meetings of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League's two Saints.  Nigel Hasselbaink shot wide for the home team after a one-two with Paul McGowan, while Cillian Sheridan had a shot saved by Craig Samson for St Johnstone.  McGowan had an effort kept out by Peter Enckleman before a late header by home sub Jon McShane went over the top.  Fran Sandaza also sent a left-footer wide in the closing stages as both sides were unable to break the deadlock. 

Hibs 0 Aberdeen 0 (Sunday)
The Clydesdale Bank Premier League's bottom sides remain in the basement positions after a draw at Easter Road.  The game was played at a frantic pace and although Colin Calderwood's side had the better chances they were unable to make the breakthrough.  Garry O'Connor shot straight at David Gonzalez and Martin Scott volleyed wide from 25 yards.  Scott also sent a volley wide from closer range from sub Leigh Griffith's cross.  Paul Hanlon almost snatched it for Hibs with a late header which went over the top but both sides had to settle for a point.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 12 September 2011