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Five things we learned from the weekend's Scottish football

Five things we learned from the weekend's Scottish football
© Reuters
There was more silverware for Celtic while Hamilton's miserable run continued.

Another exciting weekend of Scottish football ended with Celtic beating Rangers 1-0 in an enthralling Betfred Cup final at Hampden Park.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five things we learned from both league and cup matches north of the border.

Alfredo Morelos might never score against Celtic

Rangers v Celtic – Betfred Scottish Cup – Final – Hampden Park
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster saves Alfredo Morelos' penalty during the Betfred Cup Final at Hampden Park (PA)

The otherwise prolific striker's failure to score against Celtic stretched to 11 games after he squandered a series of chances to put Rangers in the driving seat at Hampden.

The Colombian was denied five times by Fraser Forster before the Celtic goalkeeper saved his penalty.

Morelos – who has scored 25 times already this season – shot wide of the target from another good position in stoppage time.

Celtic can win ugly

The Hoops have enjoyed dominant and clinical performances in finals as well as grinding opponents down during their treble-treble years.

But they had to show another side as they sealed a 10th consecutive domestic trophy after a poor performance.

Christopher Jullien netted from an offside position on the hour mark with their first chance and they battled on with 10 men after Jeremie Frimpong was sent off three minutes later.

Forster was unquestionably the star man but Celtic had other heroic shifts of sheer effort and commitment in that final half hour.

The wait goes on for Rangers

Rangers fans have waited since 2011 for their team to bring a major trophy back to Ibrox and they will be left wondering how that drought will extend into a new decade after their side dominated against Celtic.

With trips to face Motherwell and Hibernian in the coming weeks, Rangers have to bounce back quickly to make sure they remain competitive in the title race ahead of the next derby at Celtic Park on December 29.

Hamilton are in free-fall

It was another fruitless afternoon for Hamilton as Cameron MacPherson's second-half goal – his first of the season – gave St Mirren a narrow win.

Alex Gogic was sent off for the home side in the latter stages of Saints' first victory in four games and their first away win of the season.

Brian Rice's men, however, have gone 10 matches without a victory and sit above bottom side St Johnstone on goal difference.

Aberdeen's unbeaten run ends

Derek McInnes' side fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Rangers in a thrilling match at Pittodrie on Wednesday night but surprisingly melted at Easter Road.

Hibernian ran out deserved 3-0 winners with Martin Boyle scoring a double and Florian Kamberi notching.

It was the Dons' first defeat in seven games and they have to try to start another run against struggling Hamilton next week.

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on November 28, 2019
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic30225371234871
2RangersRangers29231564164870
3Hearts3017493930955
4Kilmarnock30111183933644
5St Mirren30126123637-142
6Hibernian30911104145-438
7Dundee2999114050-1036
8Motherwell30711124147-632
9Aberdeen3079143348-1530
10St Johnstone30610142141-2028
11Ross County3069152851-2327
12Livingston3038192052-3217


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