Scotland round-up: Celtic capitalise on Rangers slip

Celtic FC deposed Rangers FC as leaders of the Scottish Premier League after a weekend that saw a rare stumble by one of the Old Firm clubs.

Ferguson saves Rangers
Rangers, still unbeaten, were held for only the third time this season as Aberdeen FC earned a 2-2 Saturday draw. Visitors Rangers were ahead at half-time with Arthur Numan's first goal of the season, but Leon Mike equalised with a close-range header and Darren Mackie headed Ebbe Skovdahl's team ahead in the 74th minute. However, a Barry Ferguson penalty three minutes later ensured a point for the away side.

Celtic take advantage
And Celtic took full advantage the next day, as the champions regained first place with a 4-0 win against Partick Thistle FC. Derek Whyte's early own goal gave Celtic the advantage, and Stilian Petrov made it two on 32 minutes. Petrov added another in the 68th minute, and Henrik Larsson completed the scoring in added time to cap a fine week for Celtic, who beat England's Blackburn Rovers FC 2-0 on Thursday to win their all-British UEFA Cup second round tie.

Hearts beaten
Scott Severin scored first for Heart of Midlothian FC but they still lost 3-1 against third-placed Dunfermline Athletic FC, as goals from Barry Nicholson, Lee Bullen and Stevie Crawford turned Sunday's game, while Kilmarnock FC halted Livingston FC's seven game unbeaten run with a 2-0 Saturday home win, Paul di Giacomo and Gary McSwegan on target.

Paatelainen double
In Saturday's other matches, Mixu Paatelainen scored twice for Hibernian FC as they defeated Dundee FC 2-1 at Easter Road, while Motherwell FC remain rooted to the foot of the table after losing 2-1 at home to Dundee United FC, Jim Hamilton claiming a goal inside 30 seconds and securing the win on 24 minutes.