Hearts win overshadowed by Burley drama

Leaders Hearts romped to a 2-0 win in the Scottish Premier League against Dunfermline yesterday, hours after manager George Burley dramatically parted company with the club.

Burley was reported to have left the club before kick-off, with first team coach John McGlynn, who was put in charge for the day, telling BBC Radio that the players had found out during the pre-match meal.

Czech midfielder Rudi Skacel grabbed his ninth goal of the season to open the scoring in the first half and countryman Michal Pospisil curled home a magnificent second two minutes later.

Skipper Steven Pressley was sent off in the second half, but Hearts held out, the players leaving the field displaying T-shirts with the slogan, "For the Gaffer!"

Champions Rangers beat Motherwell 2-0 after Chris Burke put them ahead inside 30 seconds and Dane Peter Lovenkrands sealed the points with a late goal.

Unbeaten Hearts stay top of the SPL standings with 29 points from 11 games.

Hibernian won 1-0 at Aberdeen with a Derek Riordan goal while Falkirk lost 3-1 at home to Dundee United.

Premier League

Aberdeen-Hibernian 0-1
Falkirk-Dundee United 1-3
Hearts-Dunfermline 2-0

Kilmarnock-Celtic today, 3 p.m.
Livingston-Inverness 1-1
Rangers-Motherwell 2-0

First Division

Airdrie-Stranraer 1-0
Clyde-Ross County 1-0
Hamilton-Brechin 3-0
Queen of South-St Johnstone 1-3
St Mirren-Dundee 0-0

Second Division

Dumbarton-Ayr 6-0
Forfar-Gretna 1-3
Peterhead-Alloa 3-1
Raith-Morton 1-2
Stirling-Partick 1-2

Third Division

Arbroath-Albion 1-2
Berwick-East Fife 3-0
Cowdenbeath-East Stirling 5-1
Montrose-Elgin 2-0
Stenhousemuir-Queens Park 1-0