MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 05:50:25| >> :600:171134:171134:

5 things we learned from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action

5 things we learned from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action
© Reuters
Brown was given a second yellow card by referee Bobby Madden for his off-pitch celebrations.

Scott Brown's last-gasp deflected strike gave Celtic a 1-0 win at Kilmarnock and took the Hoops eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The already-booked midfielder was given a second yellow card by referee Bobby Madden for his off-pitch celebrations after Killie defender Kirk Broadfoot had already been given his marching orders in the second half.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at five things we learned from the weekend's action.

Celtic on their way to eight in a row

The Hoops' late winner at Rugby Park was testament to their spirit under Brendan Rodgers. It was Celtic's eighth-successive domestic win of 2019 and they have yet to lose a goal. The eight-point lead they enjoy over Rangers, who could only draw 0-0 with St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday, will surely be enough to secure yet another title.

Consistency is possible with youngsters

Motherwell won a sixth-consecutive top-flight game for the second time in 82 years thanks to a last-gasp 2-1 win over Hearts. The goalscorers were again 19-year-old Jake Hastie and David Turnbull who, together with fellow academy player Allan Campbell, have netted nine of the team's last 10 goals. Stephen Robinson is currently getting the best from his young players week in, week out.

Steven Gerrard's January recruits not delivering what was expected

The Rangers faithful could barely contain their excitement when it was confirmed Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis had been brought in to boost the Ibrox title push. But so far neither has proved they can help bridge the gap on Celtic. Both men started against St Johnstone on Saturday, as did fellow new recruit Glen Kamara for the first time, but their years of experience did little to unnerve Tommy Wright's rigid Saints side as they held on for a 0-0 draw. Defoe was starved of service but did little to involve himself in general play while Davis and Kamara look far from sharp.

Paul Heckingbottom favours evolution not revolution

New Hibernian head coach Paul Heckingbottom named an unchanged team for his first game in charge, although he tweaked the formation from a midfield diamond to provide more width. Heckingbottom stuck to four simple instructions to avoid flooding his team with information and the approach worked as Hibs beat Hamilton 2-0. The former Leeds boss vowed to gradually introduce more of his ideas in the weeks and months ahead.

Dundee are lifting their support

Literally. Ryan McGowan lofted a child above his head and out of some wild celebrations as Dundee moved out of the bottom two for the first time this season with a 2-1 win at Livingston. It was a third game unbeaten for Jim McIntyre's new-look side.

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', '66d00836-054c-4a79-b1fe-6c509f6560ab');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,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 this weekend\u2019s Scottish Premiership action'});

ID:350660: cacheID:350660:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9098:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Borussia Dortmund's Jeremy Toljan pictured on August 10, 2018
Read Next:
Jeremy Toljan believes player concerns over plastic pitches should be heard
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Rams
@
Bears
6pm
Eagles
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Steelers
@
Colts
6pm
Saints
@
Falcons
6pm
Broncos
@
Jets
6pm
Vikings
@
Packers
6pm
Bengals
@
Panthers
6pm
Jags
@
Texans
9.05pm
Patriots
@
49ers
9.05pm
Washington
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Browns
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic66002002018
2Aberdeen6600124818
3RangersRangers531194510
4Motherwell631297210
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd62319729
6St Mirren72231113-28
7Ross County7142712-57
8Dundee61321011-16
9Hibernian512258-35
10St Johnstone7115817-94
11Kilmarnock6033615-93
12Hearts7025412-82


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!