SPL roundup: Big win for Celtic extends their lead at the top

By Daniel Cross, Reporter | 20 October 2012

Celtic stay top of the SPL after thrashing St Mirren but St Johnstone stay close behind, despite late drama in their game against Kilmarnock.

Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premier League after a 5-0 win away at St Mirren. There were also home wins for Ross County and second-placed St Johnstone.

A frantic finish at McDiarmid Park allowed St Johnstone to stay just three points behind Celtic. Nigel Hasselbaink's last-minute goal put the home team 2-0 up, before James Fowler equalised instantly for Kilmarnock. It was too late for the away side though and the game ended 2-1.

There was also late drama in the game between Ross County and Hibernian. After going in at the break 2-2, it looked like the second half would finish goalless. Substitute Colin McMenamin had other ideas, scoring a 84th-minute goal to give County all three points.

In the early kickoff, goals from Gary Hooper and Efe Ambrose put Celtic ahead before a double from Victor Wanyama ended the game. Tony Watt rounded off the win.

The other game this afternoon, between Dundee United and Aberdeen, was delayed by 15 minutes because traffic had made the Aberdeen coach was late. The game eventually ended 1-1.

Results in full: St Mirren 0-5 Celtic, Dundee United 1-1 Aberdeen, Ross County 3-2 Hibernian, St Johnstone 2-1 Kilmarnock