Celtic close gap on Rangers

Scottish Premier League Review:   Celtic moved to within one point of Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers with a …

Scottish Premier League Review:  Celtic moved to within one point of Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers with a narrow but deserved 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead today.

Killie keeper Alan Combe kept the champions at bay with a string of impressive saves until the 63rd minute, when defender Martyn Corrigan deflected a Scott Brown drive into the net.

The Hoops' victory puts pressure on the Ibrox side, who travel to Inverness Caledonian Thistle tomorrow.

Another high-profile goalkeeping gaffe proved costly for Hibernian as Hearts claimed a 1-0 victory in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle.

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Yves Ma-Kalambay had made an impressive debut here back in August but joined past Gorgie offenders Zibi Malkowski and Andy McNeill in the hall of a shame for a blunder which allowed Andrius Velicka the only goal of the game.

It was the sort of gaffe new Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen would have relished in his playing days - he once famously netted at hat-trick against Hearts in a 6-2 drubbing - but he was sent back to Easter Road empty-handed in his first Clydesdale Bank Premier League game as boss.

Aberdeen were masters of their own downfall against Dundee United as they conceded a calamitous opening goal and then missed a penalty before Barry Robson struck twice late on to clinch a 3-0 victory for the Tannadice club.

United's opening goal bordered on the comical as Jamie Langfield drove his clearance off Noel Hunt and then could only look on in despair as the ball rebounded into his own net.

Barry Nicholson then missed a penalty after Steve Lovell had been fouled by Garry Kenneth, and Robson compounded a miserable afternoon for the Dons when he fired a powerful shot past Langfield from Craig Conway's cross, prior to finding the net with a well-struck free-kick.

St Mirren made it three home wins in as many weekends as they produced a commanding performance to beat Motherwell 3-1.

The Buddies, who won just twice at Love Street in the whole of 2007, maintained this year's 100% record thanks to an eighth-minute goal from Mark Corcoran and a double from defender Ian Maxwell.

Motherwell striker David Clarkson was on target for the visitors.

Gretna gave themselves a relegation lifeline with their third victory of the season, courtesy of a 2-0 scoreline over Falkirk.

Kenny Deuchar headed the only goal of an open first half and Paul Murray then struck a superb second five minutes after the break to wrap up maximum points.