Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 6
Celtic clinched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title with a comprehensive first-half demolition job on Killie. The Rugby Park side got the better of Neil Lennon’s side in the Communities Cup final last month but there was no hope of a repeat once Charlie Mulgrew bulleted in Ki Sung Yeung’s corner after seven minutes. Mulgrew turned creator for defensive partner Glenn Loovens to increase Celtic’s lead with another header nine minutes later. Mulgrew added the third with a rare right-foot finish after 34 minutes and Gary Hooper swept in the fourth in the final minute of the first-half. Celtic played out time comfortably after the break although late strikes from Joe Ledley and Hooper ensure the title went back to Parkhead for the first time since 2008, in style.
Aberdeen 3 Dundee United 1
United’s winning run came to an end but Aberdeen got a great boost before the Scottish Cup semi-final. Darren Mackie gave them the lead from Ryan Jack’s pass with a clever lob but Clydesdale Bank Premier League Player of the Month Jon Daly volleyed United level. Chris Clark took advantage of a Dusan Pernis error to put his side ahead and they wrapped up the win when Ryan Jack headed in Kari Arnason’s cross.
Dunfermline Athletic 1 Hearts 2
Hearts maintained their Champions League challenge with a win over struggling Dunfermline. Danny Grainger set up Gary Glen to drill home the opener and Hearts doubled their lead when Alex Keddie deflected the ball into his own net under pressure from Darren Barr. Marius Zaliukas turned Joe Cardle’s drive into his own net to set up an anxious finish but Hearts held on for the points.
Rangers 3 St Mirren 1
Rangers emerged victorious despite missing two penalties – in a match which saw ref Willie Collum award four spot-kicks. The home side went ahead in the first minute when Lee McCulloch headed in Steven Davis’s cross but they missed the chance to double their lead twelve minutes later when Steven Thomson brought down Mo Edu, Sone Aluko hitting the post with his spot-kick. But Rangers went two up just before the break when Andy Little fired in following Salim Kerkar’s cross. Saints pulled one back from the spot when Dorin Goian pulled down Stevie Thompson and Paul McGowan drilled in the penalty. Jeroen Tesselaar brought down Aluko to concede another penalty and the defender was red-carded for his challenge – but McCulloch’s kick was saved by Craig Samson. However when McCulloch was fouled by Lee Mair another spot-kick was awarded and Kyle Lafferty scored from this one to wrap the points up.
St Johnstone 0 Inverness C.T. 0
St Johnstone were left seething when they were denied a penalty by ref Kevin Clancy in a Perth stalemate. Saints – who had a penalty claim turned down at Parkhead last week – were furious when Clancy waved away claims after Roman Golobart barged Fran Sandaza. That led to a warning for manager Steve Lomas but Sandaza missed a chance to win it with a weak finish after being set up by Cillian Sheridan.
Hibernian 1 Motherwell 1 (Sunday)
Nicky Law’s late strike rescued a point for Champions League hopefuls Motherwell. Hibs took the lead on the half-hour when Garry O’Connor drilled in his 14th goal of the season from a free-kick after Keith Lasley brought down Ivan Sproule. Tom Soares came close to adding to the lead with a drive which rebounded from the bar but Motherwell dominated the second-half and got their reward when Law drove in after Soares’ defensive header fell to him. Motherwell finished with ten men when Jon Page picked up a second yellow for a foul on Roy O’Donovan.
By cbfootball.co.uk Last updated:
09 April 2012