Celtic go back on top of Scottish League

By Alan Downing, Agencies, World-Track Global

CELTIC — Celtic returned to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League after turning back St Mirren 3-1 at Parkhead on Saturday.

An own goal and strikes from Georgios Samaras and Scott McDonald setup the victory for the Bhoys.

Celtic could have added another to their tally, but McDonald saw his late effort from the penalty spot saved by goalkeeper Paul Gallacher.

Michael Higdon scored the only goal for St Mirren on the stroke of half-time.

Earlier overnight leaders Rangers suffered a 1-0 defeat at Aberdeen, with Lee Miller scoring the only goal of the game 17 minutes at Pittodrie.

Elsewhere Derek Riordan netted a double to give Hibernian a cruising 2-0 victory at home to strugglerse Falkirk.

Dundee United drew 2-2 at Motherwell despite finishing the game with nine men, with both Prince Buaben and Danny Swanson red-carded, Hearts took a 2-1 victory at Kilmarnock thanks to strikes from Eggert Jonsson and Christian Nade, with Killie’s consolation coming in the final minute from Craig Bryson.

St Johnstone and Hamilton Academical drew 1-1 at McDiarmid Park, with Filipe Morais cancelling out Mickael Antoine-Curier’s opener for the visitors.