SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP:KENNY MILLER grabbed his 20th goal of the season as Rangers moved within touching distance of retaining the Premier League title with a win over 10-man Hearts yesterday.
Kyle Lafferty set the ball rolling in the 2-0 victory before Miller wrapped up the points from the penalty spot just minutes after the luckless Kris Boyd was substituted – the latter’s search for his 100th SPL goal for the club continues.
Celtic’s win over Hibernian 24 hours earlier ensured there would be no title party today but the Scottish champions can secure the silverware at Hibs next Sunday – or without even kicking a ball should the Hoops lose to Dundee United earlier in the day.
Boyd was restored to the Rangers team as boss Walter Smith made two changes from their goalless midweek draw at Dundee United.
The striker returned to the starting line-up along with Kevin Thomson for the clash at Ibrox. Steven Naismith and Maurice Edu – who limped out of Wednesday’s game at Tannadice – were both named on the bench.
Jamie MacDonald was called into action early on when Madjid Bougherra burst down the right flank before whipping a dangerous cross-cum-shot into the box that the Hearts goalkeeper just managed to tip over the crossbar.
Rangers looked hungrier in the second half and Miller was unfortunate not to find the back of the net shortly after the restart.
The breakthrough came after 54 minutes when Kevin Thomson’s corner found Lafferty who bulleted a near-post header past the Hearts keeper.
When substitute Naismith was pushed in the box by Eggert Jonsson referee Iain Brines pointed to the penalty spot and Miller stepped up for the penalty and, despite getting a hand to the shot, MacDonald could not prevent the ferocious effort from finding the back of the net with six minutes to go.
Goals in the last 10 minutes from Marc-Antoine Fortune and substitute Morten Rasmussen earned Celtic a 3-2 victory over Hibernian – their fourth consecutive win in the Premier League since Neil Lennon replaced Tony Mowbray. Mowbray never achieved such a consistent run and Lennon feels their late win, which followed a battling victory over Motherwell, was an encouraging sign that the spirit is returning following the shock Scottish Cup defeat by Ross County.
Robbie Keane slotted home a fourth-minute opener but Derek Riordan fired in from 20 yards moments later and Anthony Stokes gave Hibs the lead from the spot early in the second half after Josh Thompson had caught the Irishman.
