Newz Forum: SOCCER: Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier results 22/01/05

Celtic stretched their lead in the Scottish Premierleague to six points with a 2-0 victory over Motherwell at Parkhead on Saturday.

Bulgarian star Stilian Petrov put the Bhoys ahead in the first half before Chris Sutton wrapped up the points with a 56th-minute strike. The victory took Celtic further clear at the top, although arch rivals Rangers, currently in second, travel to Aberdeen on Sunday with a chance to cut the gap.


Third-placed Hibs continued their European push with a 3-0 home victory over Kilmarnock at Easter Road, largely thanks to striker Derek Riordan. Riordan rattled in first-half goals in the 30th and 34th minutes before completing his hat-trick seven minutes after the interval. The Scotland under-21 international's treble took him to 17 goals for the season and put the Hibees seven points clear of fourth-placed Aberdeen in the race for a UEFA Cup spot.


At the bottom, Livingston were plunged into futher trouble when they slumped to a 4-1 home loss against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. After Richie Hart and Russell Duncan had put Thsitle 2-0 up, Ferenc Horvath's first goal for Livi gave the hosts hope before the break. However, Graham Bayne and Juanjo killed off the basement side with further goals in the second half.

Richard Gough's men are now a point adrift of Dundee United at the foot of the table. The Arabs drew 1-1 at fellow struggglers Dunfermline, Stevie Crawford earning United a point against his former club by cancelling out Jesper Christiansen's first-half opener.


Another of the relegation-threatened sides, Dundee, were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Hearts. Fabian Caballero put Dundee ahead on 54 minutes - his first goal in alnmost two years - but Hearts equalised six minutes later through substitute Joe Hamill who netted with his first touch.

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