@splstats looks at some of the numbers behind the weekend games, with the focus on Kilmarnock, Celtic, Falkirk, Stranraer and Elgin City.
4 Kilmarnock boosted their chances of Premiership survival by defeating Hamilton Accies 4-0 at New Douglas Park. Lee Clark’s side closed the gap on Accies to four points with three matches remaining and are now within six points of Partick Thistle, who they face next. Saturday’s victory was Killie’s biggest league win since Boxing Day 2013, when they thumped Hearts 4-0 at Tynecastle. The Ayrshire side are unbeaten in their last six visits to Hamilton, and have kept clean sheets on each of their last four trips. Kris Boyd netted his 194th top-flight goal, moving him above John Robertson and into fifth place in the post-war goalscoring list.
15 Celtic all but sealed the Ladbrokes Premiership title after defeating Heart of Midlothian 3-1 at Tynecastle on Saturday. Ronny Deila’s side are nine points clear of Aberdeen with three matches remaining and their vastly superior goal difference makes it very unlikely they are going to be overhauled. The Bhoys are now unbeaten in their last 15 matches against Hearts, having picked up 13 wins and two draws since the Jam Tarts defeated them in the Scottish Cup semi-final in April 2012. Leigh Griffiths netted his 30th league goal of the season, making him the first Celtic player to reach that tally since Henrik Larsson in 2003/04.
4 Falkirk clinched second place in the Ladbrokes Championship after a nervy 1-0 victory over Morton at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday. Peter Houston’s side lost just four league matches all season, which was fewer than any other club in the league. The Bairns recorded 13 wins in their 18 home fixtures, which is their highest tally of home wins since they moved to the Falkirk Stadium in 2004. Falkirk are now unbeaten in their last nine matches against Morton – their last defeat came back in March 2013. The Bairns will be hoping they don’t have the chance to make it 10 next season.
5 Stranraer sealed the final promotion play-off spot in Ladbrokes League 1 after defeating Cowdenbeath 1-0 at Stair Park on Saturday. Brian Reid’s side were bottom of the league at Christmas, but climbed to fourth after picking up exactly twice as many points in the second half of the season (34) as they did in the first half (17). The Blues won just three of their opening 13 home fixtures, but finished the season with five straight victories at Stair Park. They were unbeaten in their last seven matches at home, and goalie Cameron Belford was the star, with five clean sheets in seven matches. The keeper has only conceded two goals at Stair Park since he joined on loan from Wrexham in January.
1 Elgin City defeated Arbroath 4-1 at Borough Briggs to secure second spot in Ladbrokes League 2 and a chance to gain promotion via the play-offs. City lost just one home league game all season – that came against champions East Fife back in March. Rangers are the only club in the SPFL who have a better home record this season. Jim Weir led the Black and Whites to their highest finish since they joined the SFL back in 2000 – their best until now was fourth in 2011/12, which was their only previous play-off appearance.
