Malik Tillman made his return to the Rangers line-up after recovering from injury as he came off the bench to score a goal in their win over Motherwell.
Motherwell 2-4 Rangers
Rangers had a fight on their hands but they were able to outlast Motherwell as they claw their way to the win at Fir Park to extend their unbeaten to 16 games.
Malik Tillman, who had been out of action since February due to injury, played 25 minutes for the Light Blues, completing 80 percent of his passes, winning two duels, and making one tackle along with a shot on goal.
The visitors found themselves behind just three minutes into the contest when the ball was played over the top to Max Johnston who then crossed it onto the path of Kevin van Veen, allowing the Dutchman to tap it in with ease on the edge of the six-yard box.
Rangers’ captain James Tavernier would respond 20 minutes later with a free-kick that came off the hand of Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly.
Tavernier then turned provider as the game entered the second half when his cross from the right side found Fashion Sakala in the 12-yard box and the Zambian international headed the ball home to give Rangers the lead.
However, the hosts leveled the score before the hour mark when Bevis Mugabe was able to poke the ball past Ranger’s goalkeeper Allan McGregor following a scramble in the area from a corner kick.
Todd Cantwell would put the visitors in the lead for good in the 62nd minute when he slammed the ball home from close range. Then it was Tillman who provided the insurance goal seven minutes later as Alfredo Morelos found the midfielder at the top of the box to send his shot past Kelly.
Rangers remain in second place in the standings with 73 points.
Celtic 3-1 Hibernian
Celtic was left frustrated by Hibernian, but a pair of late goals helped them to the win at Parkhead Stadium to maintain their nine-point lead atop the standings.
Cameron Carter-Vickers put in another strong outing for the Hoops despite a minor knee injury, completing 94 percent of his passes and winning four duels. Matthew Hoppe came on to play 21 minutes for Hibs.
The hosts would find themsleves with a one-man advantage after 24 minutes when Elie Youan was shown his second yellow card following tussle with Carter-Vickers at midfield. The Frenchman would end up kicking the center-back in the face as they battled for the ball.
Despite going down a man, Hibs took a shock lead in the 39th minute following a penalty. A review from the video assistant referee showed that Carl Starfelt was the guilty party as he tugged on Paul Hanlon’s shirt. Josh Campbell then stepped up to convert the spot-kick.
Celtic was behind, but things turned around for the league leaders in the second half when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. This time Hanlon was the culprit as held back Carter-Vickers while trying to position himself for a corner kick. Jota just sneaked his spot-kick past Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall in the 52nd minute to level the score.
The hosts were clearly in control of the game but had to wait until the 81st minute to take the lead. Oh Hyeon-gyu would be on the spot with a thumping header from David Turnbull’s corner kick. Sead Haksabanovic put the game out of reach for their opponents as he put away a curling shot just outside the box.
The win now gives Celtic 82 points.
Notes
Elsewhere in Premiership action, Ian Harkes played 88 minutes for Dundee United as they shared the points with St. Mirren following a 1-1 draw.
In the Championship, Brian Schwake was between the posts for Greenock Morton as they settled for a 1-1 draw with Abroath to keep them two points out from a spot in the promotion playoffs.
