RANGERS RESTORED their 10-point lead at the top of the table following a 3-0 over Hibernian at Ibrox yesterday, leaving their manager Walter Smith with a rare smile on his face while Celtic’s Tony Mowbray could only watch and wince.
Hibs, credited with one of the SPL’s most potent attacks, were swatted aside by Rangers who took the lead five minutes into the second when Steven Whittaker angled home a fine finish after a one-two with Kyle Lafferty.
The second goal arrived from Kris Boyd with a penalty after Sol Bamba was adjudged to have clipped Kenny Miller, who added a third himself, collecting a Kevin Thomson pass in stoppage time and scoring underneath Graeme Smith.
On Saturday, Celtic suffered a setback when they surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 4-4 at Aberdeen. The first half ended level after goals from Diomansy Kamara and Marc-Antoine
Fortune had been cancelled out by Michael Paton and Darren Mackie.
The visitors went two clear with strikes from Robbie Keane and Aiden McGeady and the three points looked secure.
However, Aberdeen’s Steve MacLean reduced the deficit from the spot before grabbing a dramatic late equaliser.
