In-form Rangers gain more ground on Celtic

LONDON: Rangers closed to within six points of Scottish Premiership pacesetters Celtic as goals from Jamie Murphy and Russell Martin earned a 2-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox.

Hearts have proven a hard side to break down since Craig Levein’s return as manager and drew 0-0 in their last visit to Ibrox at the start of the season.

But there was little doubt over the outcome once Murphy opened the scoring four minutes before half-time with his third goal since sealing a loan move from Brighton last month.

Martin then made the game safe two minutes from time.

At Kilmarnock, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon was sent to the stands as his Hibernian team let slip a two-goal lead.

Lennon was ordered off by referee Kevin Clancy moments after Kris Boyd netted on the rebound to earn Kilmarnock a 2-2 draw after a disputed 61st-minute penalty, awarded for a Ryan Porteous hand ball.

Florian Kamberi and Porteous had put Hibs two ahead inside the first nine minutes but a stunning strike from Jordan Jones and then Boyd’s effort levelled matters in the space of three second-half minutes.

St Johnstone ended their recent disappointing run with a 2-0 victory over rock bottom Ross County thanks to a Murray Davidson double.

Craig Tanner’s 33rd-minute goal gave-Motherwell victory at Dundee, while Hamilton came from behind to beat Partick Thistle 2-1. — AFP