Scotland: Rangers hold Celtic, move to within four of Hearts


Written by: Stephen Sharp Bookmark and Share
2006-04-23 21:08:20

Alex McLeish coached his final Old Firm game on Sunday (Allsport)
  Alex McLeish coached his final Old Firm game on Sunday (Allsport)
GLASGOW, Apr 23 (SW) - Rangers are now just four points back of Hearts for second place in the Scottish Premier League after holding champions Celtic to a goalless draw at Celtic Park.

SATURDAY
Hibernian - Hearts 2-1

It was another derby that took center stage on Saturday as Hibs defeated Edinburgh rivals Hearts to dent their hopes of Champions League qualification.

Derek Riordan fired Hibs into the lead after 16 minutes, but it appeared momentum was with the visitors at half-time as Roman Bednar scored just before the teams went to the dressing room.

This did not affect Hibs, however, as they struck the winner 12 minutes from time through Abdessalam Benjelloun.

Aberdeen - Kilmarnock 0-0

Kilmarnock and Aberdeen are both out of contention for European football, and they played like it in a goalless draw on Saturday.

Dunfermline - Livingston 3-2

Livingston are on the edge of relegation after they were beaten late on away to Dunfermline.

Richard Brittain's penalty had given the visitors the lead after nine minutes, but that effort was cancelled when Mark Burchill scored in the 38th minute.

Livi regained the lead through Colin Healy on 63 minutes, but against the Pars equalized through Burchill 15 minutes later.

That set up a dramatic winner five minutes from time by Noel Hunt that will all but spell the fate of Livingston.

Inverness C.T. - Dundee United 1-0

There was more late drama on Saturday as a late winner propelled Inverness to a victory over Dundee United.

With the match almost certainly headed for a goalless draw, Caley Thistle leading scorer Craig Dargo struck in second-half injury time to grab the three points.

Falkirk - Motherwell 1-1

Falkirk conceded a lead in the second half on Saturday as they were held by Motherwell.

Alan Gow had given the home side the lead after just 16 minutes, but Phil O'Donnell's equalizer in the 58th minute rescued a point for Motherwell.

SUNDAY
Celtic - Rangers 0-0

Chris Burke will rue his miss after Rangers could have stolen a victory in an unusually drab Old Firm encounter on Sunday.

After the Hoops had clearly controlled the proceedings in the first half, Burke should have given Rangers the lead early in the second term, but fired over the bar from inside the area.

Later on, Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc denied Dado Prso the winning goal when he got a hand to the shot and forced it onto the post.

Hearts will host Celtic next week with Rangers away to Kilmarnock. Rangers will host Hearts on the final day of the season.




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