Rangers slip up in chase for second spot

Hearts strengthened their grip on the second Champions League place with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League after 2005 champions Rangers stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen.

Paul Hartley fired the 70th minute opener for Hearts and Christophe Berra headed the second four minutes from the end to put the Edinburgh club five points ahead of Rangers who have 63.

Rangers were held at home despite taking the lead through striker Kris Boyd after 51 minutes. Aberdeen levelled with a long range shot from Scott Severin which deceived keeper Ronald Waterreus.

Celtic, who tied up the title 10 days ago, are to be presented with the trophy before they play Hibernian today.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish said his team should keep their spirits up despite the draw with Aberdeen.

"It (Champions League place) is obviously slipping away but I have to remind the players they have to hang on to their belief," he said.

Elsewhere, St Mirren won Division Two to gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time in five years.