Rangers close on Celtic

By Alex O'Henley

Rangers FC closed the gap on Scottish Premier League rivals Celtic FCto just one point with a 2-0 victory at Ibrox in today's Old Firm encounter against a side that ended with nine men.

Novo penalty
The home team ended a long run of defeats against Celtic with a Scottish League Cup win ten days ago. And Rangers' matchwinner that day Nacho Novo - playing after a suspension was overturned - put his team ahead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes after Joos Valgaeren had tripped him in the box. Dado Pršo doubled the lead nine minutes before the interval when he headed in from a Fernando Ricksen free-kick.

Sendings off
Celtic midfield player Alan Thompson was dismissed for violent conduct before half-time after a challenge on Peter Løvenkrands and minutes after the restart Chris Sutton was also sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Aberdeen stay third 
Aberdeen FC consolidated their position in third place with a 2-0 win at bottom side Livingston FC. Richard Foster opened the scoring with a volley after just 37 seconds and Darren Mackie put the visitors further ahead on 21 minutes.

Hearts falter
Heart of Midlothian FC lost 1-0 at home to Motherwell FC. A Richie Foran penalty on 26 minutes proved decisive, with Hearts full-back Alan Maybury set off in the incident that led to the spot-kick.

Hibernian go fourth
Edinburgh rivals Hibernian FC took fourth place from Hearts with an impressive 4-1 win away to Dundee FC. Dunfermline AFC won by the same scoreline at home against Kilmarnock FC while the other game between Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC and fellow strugglers Dundee United FC at Pittodrie was called off because of snow and will now be played next Tuesday.