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Scottish Premier League Saturday Wrap [Sun Sep 18th, 2005]
Hearts made it 7 wins out of 7 with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Inverness Caley Thistle. Rudi Skacel maintained his incredible goalscoring run by notching the winner on 28 minutes.
The Czech midfielder has now scored in all 7 of his side’s SPL games this season. The result means Hearts extend their lead at the top to 8 points while Caley are still looking for their first home win this season.
Rangers moved up to joint second with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Kilmarnock. A Dado Prso penalty in the 9th minute got the champions off and running.
However, they didn’t have all their own way and it wasn’t until midway through the second half that they doubled their lead – skipper Barry Ferguson scoring his second goal of the season.
A Gordon Greer own goal 8 minutes from time clinched the 3 points as Rangers now join 3 other teams – including Killie – on 13 points.
Aberdeen are now on the brink of the top 6 after a 2-0 win away to Dunfermline, their first on the road this season. Stevie Crawford opened the scoring against his former club on 35 minutes.
A Scott Severin header on the stroke of half-time made it 2-0 and the Dons were cruising. Lee Makel had a chance to reduce the deficit 10 minutes into the second half with a contentious penalty. However, the ex-Hearts and Livingston man smacked his spot-kick off the post. The Pars remain just one point off the foot of the table.
Promoted Falkirk were crushed 5-0 at Fir Park against a rampant Motherwell. Veteran Jim Hamilton made it 1-0 in the 32nd minute with his 5th goal of the season before Richie Foran doubled the lead 10 minutes later.
Foran grabbed his second a minute after the restart before Shaun Fagan marked his return to the side with number 4 on 58 minutes. The scoring was completed in the 64th minute by Australian striker Scott McDonald.
Terry Butcher’s men are now the highest league scorers at home this season with 14 goals scored in their 4 matches at Fir Park.
Livingston were sent to their sixth defeat in 7 games at Tannadice as they went down 2-0 against Dundee United. Former Livvy man David Fernandez gave United the lead on 34 minutes. Peter Canero – making his home debut – made it 2-0 in the 76th minute to seal a comfortable home win.
The result means things are unchanged at the foot of the table, with the bottom 3 – Falkirk, Dunfermline and Livvy – all losing.
Hibs and Celtic meet next at Easter Road, as both sides look to close the gap on Hearts.
Thomas O’Sullivan
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