MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 14:43:52| >> :600:329620:329620:

5 things we learned from the Scottish Premiership this weekend

Celtic went eight points clear with a win over Motherwell as Rangers discovered they could score without Alfredo Morelos.

Celtic went eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 4-1 win over Motherwell at Parkhead.

Here are five things we learned from the weekend's action.

It takes some unusual tactics to score against Celtic

James Scott, left, sparked a furore
James Scott, left, sparked a furore against Celtic (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Celtic conceded their first domestic goal of 2019 in hugely controversial circumstances as teenager James Scott ran on to a throw-in as Celtic expected the ball back after putting it out to allow treatment to Ryan Christie. Gboly Ariyibi netted the rebound after the 18-year-old's shot was saved but Celtic added a further two goals to make the furore irrelevant.

St Mirren are still battling for survival

The bottom side might have felt sorry for themselves at Tynecastle when they went behind in the 55th minute to a Clevid Dikamona goal after being the better side. However, the Buddies refused to buckle and came battling back although it took an own goal from Sean Clare to give them a second successive draw.

Edinburgh derby rivalry is lasting

Aston Villa's former St Mirren and Hibernian midfielder John McGinn weighed in after Hearts defender Clevid Dikamona posted footage of a shocking challenge on him from Buddies midfielder Greg Tansey and included the SPFL twitter account in a reply. "Grass," was McGinn's response. Dikamona responded: "You're probably the kind of player who does this, knowing you're protected by a referee after..."

Seven down for St Johnstone

Tommy Wright's side were beaten 2-0 at home to Aberdeen on Saturday after slipping out of the top six when Hibernian beat Dundee on Friday. Saints have now gone seven games without a win, with six defeats in that sequence.

Rangers can score without Alfredo Morelos

Steven Gerrard's side had not won in the previous five games this season when the Colombian was missing through suspension and drew a blank in the first two games of their top goalscorer's three-match ban. But five players weighed in with goals in a 5-0 thrashing of Hamilton as Morelos completed his ban – including Kyle Lafferty, who netted his first league goal in five months.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'cd3128d7-9842-4e6a-b14f-17dc914acb22');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': '5 things we learned from the Scottish Premiership this weekend'});

ID:351398: cacheID:351398:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8586:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers pictured on December 29, 2018
Read Next:
Brendan Rodgers unhappy with Motherwell's controversial goal against Celtic
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!