8 – Rangers defeated Hibernian 3-2 at Ibrox in the cinch Premiership to give Michael Beale a winning start to his reign as manager. Fashion Sakala, Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos were on the scoresheet as the Light Blues twice came from behind to earn three crucial points. Rangers have now recorded eight consecutive wins over Hibs at Ibrox, a run which stretches back to May 2019. The winner was Morelos’ 10th goal against Hibernian in all competitions – Kilmarnock (12) are the only opponents he has scored against more often.
11 – Heart of Midlothian climbed to fourth in the cinch Premiership courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Tynecastle. Josh Ginnelly opened the scoring before a Lawrence Shankland double sealed the victory for Robbie Neilson’s side. Shankland moved on to 11 league goals for the season, bringing him level with Antonio Colak and Bojan Miovski at the top of the cinch Premiership goalscoring chart. It was Hearts’ first win over Killie at Tynecastle since December 2016 – they’d drawn one and lost six since then.
6 – St Johnstone defeated Ross County 2-1 at the Global Energy Stadium to move to within a point of third place in the cinch Premiership. Ali Crawford scored a double in the space of two minutes (perhaps the most high-profile one this weekend!) as Saints came from behind to secure the victory. Saints are now unbeaten in six cinch Premiership matches, picking up four wins and two draws, with all four wins being by a single goal. It was Saints’ first victory in Dingwall since February 2017 – they had drawn five and lost one in six visits since then.
3 – Partick Thistle beat Ayr United 3-2 at Firhill to close the gap on their opponents at the top of the cinch Championship to just five points. Harry Milne, Brian Graham and Steven Lawless netted the goals for Ian McCall’s side to extend their unbeaten run to four matches in all competitions. Thistle have now won their last three home matches against Ayr. The two matches between these sides this season have featured 11 goals – the Honest Men won 4-2 at Somerset Park back in October.
3 – Kelty Hearts continued their recent run of good form by defeating Queen of the South 2-1 at Palmerston in cinch League 1. Nathan Austin and Kallum Higginbotham scored in the final 11 minutes as John Potter’s side came from behind to move to within six points of the promotion play-off places. Kelty maintained their 100% record against the Doonhamers, having also beaten them at New Central Park in October in the first ever meeting.
