CELTIC 3 HIBERNIAN 2: Celtic came from behind to beat third-placed Hibernian 3-2 in an enthralling encounter on Saturday and move three points clear at the top. Wales striker John Hartson headed the leaders in front from a cross by Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura on 40 minutes.
Hibs responded in the second half with two goals inside five minutes from Frenchman Guillame Beuzelin and Steve Fletcher. But Shaun Maloney restored parity with a superb free kick on 57 minutes and Hartson got the winner eight minutes later. Celtic remain ahead of Hearts, who struggled to a 0-0 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle to remain unbeaten under new manager Graham Rix.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan described the Hibernian match as "undoubtedly the most exciting home game" this season.
"It was entertaining for the people who came to watch," added Strachan. "But for the coaches it will be a restless night. I am not annoyed, I am just delighted to have won the game. We conceded from a set-play and I don't like losing goals from there so we will have to look at that."
After Hartson headed the opener, Hibernian hit back as Beuzelin shrugged off his marker to reach a teasing cross and guide a close-range header past keeper Artur Boruc. Fletcher then put Hibs ahead after gathering the ball in space inside the box and clipping a neat, rising shot over Pole Boruc in the 51st minute.
Maloney made it 2-2 with a fabulous 57th minute free kick from the edge of the box as the game swung in Celtic's favour, and Hartson grabbed the winner with an opportunist strike.
Maloney fired a shot against the post and the Welshman followed up to force the ball over the line from a couple of metres in the 63rd minute.
Celtic survived an injury-time blunder when Ross Wallace's back-pass was short and Scotland striker Garry O'Connor raced towards goal only for Boruc to come out of his area and slide the ball clear.
Hearts were booed off the pitch at Tynecastle after Caledonian Thistle had the best of the chances with player-manager Craig Brewster missing a great chance after 36 minutes from six metres by firing over the top. Brewster also fastened onto a cut back from Craig Dargo on the hour only to whip his shot wide of the target and with 17 minutes left he saw a fierce shot brilliantly tipped away by Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
KILMARNOCK 2 RANGERS 3: Rangers ended a wretched run of 10 games without a win in all competitions after a Peter Lovenkrands hat-trick moved the champions up to fourth place.
The Danish winger scored a controversial first goal in the 16th minute, with Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies sent to the stands by referee John Underhill for furiously protesting it was offside, and added a second three minutes before the break.
Kilmarnock pulled one back after 61 minutes as Gary McDonald rifled low into the net from four metres after a mix-up between Dutch keeper Ronald Waterreus and Trinidad & Tobago defender Marvin Andrews allowed Stevie Naismith to set up the chance.
Lovenkrands then stole the ball off Thomas Buffel after he had charged in on goal to stab home for 3-1 after 72 minutes to the relief of Rangers manager Alex McLeish.
Kris Boyd cracked a close-range shot into the net 10 minutes later as the visitors failed to clear a Naismith header across goal to set up a nervous finish. Rangers are now fourth with 27 points from 18 games.
