Moore points for Rangers, Celtic lose to Hearts again, and Motherwell run riot - Premiership Round 16 Round-Up

Moore points for Rangers

Kilmarnock 0-3 Rangers

Miovski (33’, 54’), Moore (81’)

Kilmarnock’s recent winless run extended to eight games in midweek and they were hoping to end the run at the expense of Danny Rohl’s Rangers, who had recorded three draws in a row in all competitions.

Despite Kilmarnock's bright start, it was Rangers who had the first clear chance; A Connor Barron free kick was played into the box and found the head of Bojan Miovski, but was comfortably saved by Tobi Oluwayemi in goal. Marcus Dackers could have opened the scoring for the hosts, but his header, from a Scott Tiffoney cross, sailed over Jack Butland’s crossbar.

Just past the half-an-hour mark, Bojan Miovski fired low past Oluwayemi to put the visitors ahead. Into the second half and Kilmarnock thought they could have had a penalty when David Watson was brought down by Mohamed Diomande, but Kevin Clancy was not asked to check the pitchside monitor by VAR.

Then a sucher-punch for Kilmarnock, Nico Raskin played in Miovski who wrong-footed Oluwayemi and doubled their lead. Killie were down but not yet out, as Rangers needed Jack Butland to deny Bruce Anderson and then a header from Robbie Deas. Rangers secured the win when Mikey Moore, on from the bench, put a curler straight into the bottom right corner to add Rangers third.

Back to winning ways for Rangers as they remain in fourth place in the table. As for Kilmarnock, who had Stuart Kettlewell sent to the stands late on in the second half, they remain winless since the 4th of October and have lost seven times in their last nine Premiership games.

Hibs make Falkirk look like Bairns

Hibernian 3-0 Falkirk

Boyle (Pen 36’), Bowie (41’, 80’)

You have to go back to December 2006 for the last time Falkirk won a Premiership match against Hibernian, and the Bairns who have been impressive in their top-flight return were hoping to shock the Hibees.

Hibs were first to threaten in this one; Jack Iredale with a run and shot from the edge of the box which forced Scott Bain to making a save. Chris Cadden was next to try his luck but his effort from close range could not trouble Bain in the Bairns goal.

It took a while for Falkirk to get into the game, but they could have opened the scoring when Brian Graham laid the ball off for Brad Spencer and the midfielder’s low drilled shot was pushed away by Raphael Sallinger. The danger was still alive, but Ethan Williams could only hit his shot into the side-netting from a tight angle. They were made to pay just minutes later when Hibs were awarded a penalty after Martin Boyle was upended by Filip Lissah. Boyle took the spot kick duties himself and slammed it straight down the middle to give the Hibees the lead.

The task to get back into the game kept growing for the Bairns, as just five minutes later, Josh Mulligan set up Kieron Bowie who curled a brilliant shot from the corner of the area past Bain in the Falkirk goal. In the second half Falkirk tried their hardest to get back into it but found Sallinger in fine form as he denied Calvin Miller’s rising effort.

Falkirk pilled on pressure and thought they had a route back into the game; Ethan Ross thought he broke Hibs’ offside trap and slotted his shot under Sallinger, but the goal was quickly chalked off for offside following a VAR check. The Bairns pushed, but ultimately couldn’t get a goal back and were made to pay when Josh Campbell’s near-post cross was tapped home by Bowie.

Falkirk fall down to seventh place in the table and end their run of three consecutive clean sheets. For Hibs, they rise up to fifth place in the table with Bowie now up to six goals for the season and hoping for more in order to push for a golden ticket to get on the plane to the East Coast of the USA for the World Cup.

Buddies Trample Tangerines

St. Mirren 2-0 Dundee United

McMenamin (17’), Baccus (66’)

A winless run surely had to end in Paisley, St. Mirren came into this one winless in their last eight Premiership games. Dundee United, under former Buddies captain and boss Jim Goodwin, winless in their last five.

Saints had the game’s first chances; Richard King’s pass was picked out by Conor McMenamin, but his shot was from a tight angle and was saved by Dave Richards. United thought they could have been rewarded a penalty when Zac Sapsford went down in the box, but Nick Walsh deemed it to be simulation and booked the United striker.

The Saints took the lead soon after; Declan John whipped in a cross on the left-hand side to the far post where McMenamin rose highest and unmarked to head past Richards.

In the second half it was United to looked bright, first chance falling to Nikolaj Moller, but his shot blocked when Marcus Fraser slid in and ultimately won a goal kick. The biggest chance fell to Zac Sapsford who hit a free kick but it could rattle the top of Shamal George’s crossbar.

The Buddies made United pay for their missed efforts when Killian Phillips header was pushed out by Richards only as far to Keanu Baccus who converted from close range. However, they could have brought the game back to within one just moments later when Amar Fatah’s diving header was saved by Shamal George. Craig Sibbald tried his luck, following a short corner, but his shot was saved by George onto his crossbar.

Three points for the Buddies and the perfect warm-up for Stephen Robinson ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden against Celtic. As for United, they are now winless in their last six and only have one win in 10 Premiership games.

Well, Well, Well

Motherwell 3-0 Livingston

_Watt (18’), Stamatelopoulos (Pen, 60’), Longelo (88’) _

Sentiment in fanbases couldn’t have been more contrasting going into this fixture, with Livingston sitting rock bottom, while Motherwell found themselves in an impressive third with Jens Berthel-Askou receiving well deserved praise from media and opposition fans.

It didn’t take long for The Steelmen to get going. Early in the first half, Koutroumbis latched onto a ball down the left hand-side, and his ball in bobbled out to Elliot Watt, who struck one from just outside the box, going just past the fingertips of Prior to put Motherwell in front.

The Well should have doubled their lead just ten minutes later. Regan Charles-Cook was wiped out, but when advantage was played Lukas Fadinger look advantage and strode forwards, eventually laying off to Stamatelopoulos, who could only fire straight down the throat of Prior.

Calum Ward was finally called into action early in the second half, responding with an impressive save to Mahamadou Susoho’s powerful effort from the edge of the box. Koutroumbis continued threatening down the left-hand side, cutting inside across Lewis Smith and drawing a foul in the box. Stamatelopoulos made no mistake, and scored his sixth premiership goal of the season, five of which have been penalties.

Substitute Emmanuel Longelo put the cherry on top for Motherwell, finishing into an open net after Charles-Cook drew Prior out of his net before cutting back to the left-back. Three goals and three points for Motherwell, who now sit just six points behind Celtic, while Livingston are now four points adrift at the bottom of the league.

Dundee Cry For Help

Dundee 1-3 Aberdeen

Aouchiche (17’, 30’), Astley (60’), Nisbet (90+2’)

It’s fair to say that Aberdeen has had quite a revival. Many were calling for manager Jimmy Thelin to be sacked, including some in the fanbase, but since then, going eight games unbeaten including handing Hearts their first and only loss of the league season thus far. On the flip side, Steven Pressley’s Dundee side found themselves in the relegation playoff spot coming into this matchup.

After just 17 minutes, a loose ball from Ethan Hamilton was latched onto by Jesper Karlsson, who slipped in Marko Lazetic; His shot was parried away from Jon McCracken, but right into the danger area, where Adil Aouchiche was arriving, finishing neatly to grab Aberdeen’s first goal of the afternoon.

The Dons very nearly doubled their lead through Stuart Armstrong, with his free kick from a tight angle cannoning off the post in the 26th minute. Just as 30 minutes had gone, the Frenchman was there again; Jesper Karlsson’s deflected shot fell into the path of Aouchiche, and he slotted it high into the net to double Aberdeen’s lead and grab his second of the game. Just three minutes later, it could have got even better when 20-year-old Dylan Lobban came onto a looping ball at the back-post, but it was saved by McCracken.

Dundee fought back, igniting the game back into life on the hour mark, with Ryan Astley heading home from Cameron Congrave’s corner. There were loud shouts for a penalty after Simon Murray was brought down by Jack Milne, but referee Grant Irvine waved them away.

Nevertheless, Aberdeen held on and added a third goal to ease any nerves in stoppage time; Kevin Nisbet was fed through by Stuart Armstrong and a toe poked trivela found its way to the top corner. That win brings Aberdeen into the top six for the first time this season, while Dundee remains in the relegation playoff spot.

Nancy Yet To Have Finest Hour

Celtic 1-2 Hearts

Braga (44’), McIntee (65’), Tierney (90+3’)

This was undoubtedly the game everyone was waiting for this weekend, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. After building up a considerable lead, Hearts hadn’t registered a league win in four games, while Martin O’Neill had steadied the ship at Celtic, winning all of their last six in the league, since losing to Hearts at Tynecastle.

Wilfried Nancy was appointed on Thursday, and all eyes were on if he could get off the perfect start and finally put Celtic back in first whilst having a game in hand. Daizen Maeda had a chance to open the scoring early on when he was played through by Tounekti, but he fired wide from close range.

It was Hearts who broke the deadlock, and just before half-time; A loose ball was latched onto by Claudio Braga, who seemed to be in an offside position. Even he himself stopped for a moment, waiting for the flag to be raised. It never was, and when Harry Milne’s deflected pass bobbled into his path, he wasted no time and struck past Schmeichel to shock the home supporters.

Just after the hour mark, it got even better for the travelling Hearts fans; Harry Milne’s corner was perfect, finding Oisin McIntee whose header was pinpoint. Too accurate for Schmeichel, and Hearts were two ahead. Kiziridis had a chance to add a third, but when he failed to do so, Celtic ignited.

Tierney was a constant threat going down the left-hand side; His pin-point cross into the box found Arne Engels, whose header was straight at Schwolow from close-range. The rebound then fell to Reo Hatate, but his effort smacked off the bar. Celtic did get their goal, with a scrappy affair in the box eventually falling to Kieran Tierney, who smashed it in.

It was too little too late for Celtic, as they were handed their third league defeat already this season. For Hearts, it’s the first time they’ve won at Celtic Park and Ibrox in the same season since 1985/86. Celtic still are only three points behind, with a game in hand, so Wilfried Nancy will be hoping he can close that gap vs Dundee United in their next league game.