Scotland round-up: Old Firm warm up with wins
Sunday, December 1, 2002
Article summary
Celtic FC will carry a one-point advantage into next week's top-of-the-table encounter with Rangers FC.
Article body
Celtic FC will carry a one-point advantage into next week's top of the table clash with Rangers FC after both sides of the Glasgow 'Old Firm' secured weekend wins.
Larsson bounces back
Martin O'Neill's champions recovered from the shock of Henrik Larsson's missed penalty to record a 3-1 win over Motherwell FC. Larsson eventually registered in the 53rd minute, Scott Leitch put then through his own goal and Joos Valgaeren also hit the target for the home side. Dirk Lehmann's 74th-minute strike was the only consolation for a bottom-placed Motherwell who also had Shaun Fagan sent-off.
Impressive Rangers
Rangers, meanwhile, geared up for next Saturday with an impressive 4-0 away win against Heart of Midlothian FC, despite, like their city neighbours, taking until the second half to secore. Holland international Fernando Ricksen was eventually on target either side of a Barry Ferguson penalty and Stephen Hughes added the fourth as Alex McLeish's side took full advantage of Alan Maybury's 58th-minute red card.
Crawford denies Hibernian
Dunfermline Athletic FC had Scottish international striker Stevie Crawford to thank after he earned a point against Hibernian FC. Crawford's 66th minute tap-in cancelled out Tam McManus's third goal in three games and was good enough to keep the Fife side tucked in behind the Old Firm.
A penalty apiece
It was a tale of two penalties at Tannadice as Dundee United FC and Aberdeen FC drew 1-1. Phil McGuire scored from the spot in 27 minutes and Jim Hamilton kept his cool to level ten minutes later, while Alex Burns - laid low with a stomach bug all week - scored a memorable second-half hat-trick as Partick Thistle FC beat Kilmarnock FC 3-0 to move up to eighth place and Dundee FC came from behind to draw 1-1 with struggling Livingston FC.