Scotland round-up: Rangers back in front
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Article summary
Rangers FC climbed ahead of Celtic FC on goal difference thanks to a 4-0 win against Kilmarnock FC.
Article body
Rangers FC climbed ahead of Celtic FC at the top of the Scottish Premier League table with just two games remaining of a thrilling title race.
Early Mols double
Celtic had moved three points clear on Saturday with a 1-0 win against Heart of Midlothian FC, but Rangers took the helm on goal difference 24 hours later by beating Kilmarnock FC 4-0. A two-goal win was Rangers' minimum target, and Michael Mols scored on five and six minutes to ensure that mark was quickly reached. Shota Arveladze made it 3-0 just before the hour and Claudio Caniggia completed the scoring ten minutes from time.
Decisive penalty
An Alan Thompson penalty on 29 minutes was enough for Celtic - who had claimed first place on Wednesday - to briefly consolidate their position at the summit. In a tight game against a Hearts side who could have clinched a UEFA Cup berth with victory, Chris Sutton was fouled in the box by Steven Pressley to give Thompson the spot-kick chance. However, Hearts remain four points clear of Kilmarnock in third, and need only one more win to claim a European place along with Scottish Cup finalists Dundee FC, who remain sixth behind Dunfermline Athletic FC after a 2-2 draw.
Dundee United edge clear
Motherwell FC are now four points adrift of Dundee United FC following a 1-0 defeat at Hibernian FC. Grant Brebner's 66th-minute penalty consolidated seventh place for Hibernian, while Dundee United are now just a win from safety following a dramatic 2-1 victory at Livingston FC. Jim McIntyre headed United into a second minute lead and although David Bingham's 78th-minute strike levelled matters, Charlie Miller's tap-in during added time proved decisive.
Partick survive
One more defeat would confirm bottom place for Motherwell, but whether that will lead to relegation will depend on a vote of Scottish Premier League clubs on the admission of First Division champions Falkirk FC on 23 May. Partick Thistle FC ensured their top-flight status regardless of the vote with Motherwell's loss, despite being defeated themselves, 2-1 by Aberdeen FC.
