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Five things we learned from the Scottish Premiership weekend

Five things we learned from the Scottish Premiership weekend
© Reuters
Rangers closed the gap to their Old Firm rivals.

Rangers moved one point behind Ladbrokes Premiership leaders Celtic after thrashing Aberdeen 5-0.

The champions had earlier been held to a 1-1 draw by Hibernian at Easter Road.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five other things we learned from the weekend's action.

Celtic are not infallible

Neil Lennon's side were enjoying their best start to a season for nine years but could not extend their winning sequence to seven matches. Lennon was fairly relaxed about his side's performance after they bounced back from an unfortunate own goal from Kristoffer Ajer to level through Ryan Christie before being frustrated by his former side and referee Kevin Clancy, who rejected two strong penalty claims from the visitors.

Ross Laidlaw has redeemed himself

The Ross County goalkeeper let in a howler against St Mirren two weeks ago as Tony Andreu's weak free-kick squirmed through his body to level the scores. But County went on to win 2-1 and Laidlaw earned his team a point against Kilmarnock on Saturday by saving Osman Sow's penalty at Rugby Park.

Goals are in short supply at Kilmarnock

Laidlaw's penalty save ensured a second goalless draw at Rugby Park in three days and a third in four matches there. Killie have kept six clean sheets in their last seven games but have only scored five goals in their seven league matches.

Greg Stewart has forced his way into Steven Gerrard's thoughts

Greg Stewart scored for Rangers
Greg Stewart, right, scored for Rangers (Robert Perry/PA)

The former Dundee forward had to wait a while for his first league start but he justified his selection in style. The creative forward scored once, won a penalty, hit the post, set up a series of chances and came close on a number of other occasions in a performance brimming with creativity and confidence.

Hearts' luck has not turned

Craig Levein eased some of the pressure on him by leading Hearts to a derby win and Betfred Cup success against Aberdeen but there was more bad luck around the corner. Levein lost defender Craig Halkett to a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for several months early in his team's goalless draw against St Mirren. The centre-back joins Steven Naismith, Craig Wighton, Peter Haring, Jamie Walker, Ben Garuccio, John Souttar and Conor Washington on the sidelines.

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Paul Heckingbottom pictured in charge of Hibernian in April 2019
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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


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