Scottish Premiership round-up: Celtic miss chance as St Mirren climb

Celtic and Rangers miss chances

Celtic failed to take advantage of Rangers' 2-1 defeat to Motherwell by, themselves, losing to Hearts 2-0.

The Celts saw Adam Idah fail to convert a spot-kick in the early stages, moments before Hyun-jun Yang was shown shown a red card in the 16th minute.

Hearts made sure to take advantage and waltzed in at the break 1-0 up through a Jorge Grant penalty, before a second-half strike by Lawrence Shankland finished the job.

For Rangers, a demonic performance by Liam Kelly ensured Motherwell clung on in Glasgow as Dan Casey's late goal saw the Steelmen win 2-1.

Those results mean Celtic remain two points behind their bitter rivals in the latest turn of this season's tight title race.

It could be seen as a let-off for Rangers, but - given the rarity of a Celtic defeat - the Gers will feel as if it's an opportunity missed on their part.

St Mirren leapfrog Kilmarnock

Both Kilmarnock and St Mirren are playing some great football this term, which has seen the sides battle for fourth place.

A 2-1 win over Neil Warnock's Aberdeen has put the Saints above the Killie by a single point.

It'll be an interesting battle as the Premiership season begins to wind down, but St Mirren's tendency to avoid draws could play to their advantage.

Luckily, at least for neutrals, supporters will be able to see the two sides face-off as they meet each-other in their very next match.

Kilmarnock will play the role of hosts and will be aiming to reclaim fourth with a statement win.

Aberdeen continue to stumble

Warnock was brought in by Aberdeen to steady the boat, so to speak, but the experienced Englishman is seemingly struggling to adapt.

Three defeats on the spin has the Dons slumped in tenth place and - seven points behind sixth-placed Hibernian - at serious risk of reaching the point of no return.

Aberdeen managed to get the better of Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup over the weekend, but Warnock's wait for a first league win goes on.

The man himself believes the Dons have been unlucky and should, in fact, be higher up the table.

"We should have beat Hibernian, we should have beat Motherwell, we should have beat St Mirren," he said, quite pointedly, with four defeats and two draws to his name.

Aberdeen are up against Dundee FC in their next league match, which will be seen as very 'winnable' and indeed could be the first step in the right direction for Warnock in the Scottish top flight.