Scotland round-up: Rangers double their cushion

Unbeaten Rangers FC followed up last week's 'Old Firm' derby victory against Celtic FC by extending their Scottish Premier League lead over the champions to four points, thanks to a Barry Ferguson hat-trick.

Ferguson on form
Their advantage was up to five points on Saturday evening after a 3-0 victory against struggling Dundee United FC. Ferguson opened the scoring with a 13th-minute free-kick and the Rangers captain doubled the lead with a 40-metre run behind the Dundee United defence.

Two red cards
He then completed the victory from the penalty spot after David McCarcken had fouled Shota Arvealdze. The match was however, blighted by two red cards. Fernando Ricksen suffered the fourth sending off of his short Rangers career after he caught Charlie Miller with a late tackle and the visitors’ Jim McIntyre was dismissed for a swipe and miss at Arveladze.

Celtic held
The next day Celtic were only able to pick up a single point as they were held 1-1 at Kilmarnock FC. Andy McLaren put Kilmarnock ahead on 18 minutes, but although Joos Valgaren levelled in the second half, Celtic could not fashion a winner.

Debut defeat for Paterson
Dunfermline Athletic FC moved back into third place on goal difference after a 3-0 victory against Aberdeen FC. New Aberdeen manager Steve Paterson saw his side beaten by strikes from Steve Crawford and Craig Brewster either side of a Jamie McCallister own goal.

Maybury opens account
Heart of Midlothian FC dropped to fourth behind Dunfermline, despite a last-minute winner against Partick Thistle FC from Alan Maybury - the first goal of his senior career - while Dundee FC had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with bottom-placed Motherwell FC and Hibernian FC won 2-1 at lowly Livingston FC.