Scottish Premier League round-up:A Georgios Samaras double helped Celticto a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnockto bring them to within a point of Premier League leaders Rangers ahead of Wednesday night's Old Firm game at Parkhead.
The Greece striker headed the home side into the lead in first-half injury time and scored his second with a fine drive seven minutes after the break to make it eight SPL wins in a row for Celtic.
Killie substitute Danny Racchi scored a consolation with three minutes remaining, but with Rangerslosing at St Mirren, the Hoops now have a chance to go top of the table heading into 2012.
Rangers suffered a double blow in their 2-1 defeat after Lee McCulloch and Dorin Goian both saw red, ruling them out of Wednesday’s clash, as Saints secured their first win over Rangers since 2008.
Lee Wallace opened the scoring with his first goal for the Scottish champions but the home side took advantage of McCulloch’s dismissal and hit back through goals from Aaron Mooy and Paul McGowan to secure the win.
Heartsagain defied their off-field troubles by moving within six points of third-placed Motherwell with a 2-0 win at Tynecastle.
Ian Black, who has been working as a painter and decorator recently due to Hearts’ money problems, netted from the edge of the area after 17 minutes and Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott tapped in a second after 28 minutes following a good David Templeton run.
Hearts full back Jamie Hamill went off on a stretcher midway through the second half of a match in which Motherwell struggled and slumped to their second away loss of the season.
Dundee Unitedcaptain Jon Daly scored a double as his side came from behind to beat Hibernian3-1 at Tannadice.
On-loan Wolves striker Leigh Griffiths had given Hibs hope of a first win under new boss Pat Fenlon when he opened the scoring after 24 minutes, but United dominated the second half and scored a deserved equaliser through Johnny Russell after 59 minutes.
Daly nodded home after 76 minutes from a Paul Dixon cross before slotting home his second with only two minutes left as United leapfrogged St Mirren to move into the top six.
Roman Golobart's first senior goal helped Invernessnotch their first home victory for three months with a 2-1 win against Aberdeen.
The Spanish defender’s close-range header on 64 minutes was followed by Gregory Tade’s 15-yarder through a crowded area five minutes later to double the lead.
Substitute Rory Fallon’s strike from six yards in the 76th minute put the visitors back in it, but they failed to find a leveller.
Dunfermlinegoalkeeper Chris Smith endured a dreadful return to the team as St Johnstonereturned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory.
Smith, making his first start of the season with Paul Gallacher injured, punched a corner into his own net to give Saints the lead and spilled a shot to allow Francisco Sandaza to score. Liam Craig wrapped the victory up before the hour mark.
