CELTIC extended their winning run in the Scottish Premier League to 12 games with a 2-0 victory over St Mirren and moved four points clear of chasing Rangers at the top of the table.
Rangers had pressure put on them by Celtic’s win and their title hopes suffered another blow when they were forced to fight back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen.
Goals from James Forrest and Scott Brown were enough for Celtic to claim victory in the SPL’s first game of the day.
In a game which was spoiled by the wind, Celtic’s best effort in the first-half was Gary Hooper’s long-distance strike which St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson saved. Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster was forced to make a string of saves, the best being from former Parkhead midfielder Paul McGowan.
But in the 71st minute Forrest took a pass from Scott Brown and beat Samson from the edge of the box before the Hoops skipper grabbed number two with three minutes remaining with a great curling shot from outside the box.
At Ibrox, Kari Arnason opened the scoring for Aberdeen in the second half before Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu levelled four minutes later. The result was not enough for the Dons to end a wait of more than two decades for a win at Ibrox but they left Glasgow the happier of the two sides.
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