Celtic snatch victory in stoppage time

Champions Celtic were five minutes from defeat against Gretna in their first Scottish Premier League meeting yesterday when Chris Killen and Scott McDonald snatched a 2-1 victory with late goals.

Bottom club Gretna took a first-half lead when Uruguayan midfielder Fabian Yantorno swept in a 36th-minute free-kick, stranding Celtic's Polish keeper Artur Boruc.

But with time running out, New Zealand striker Killen headed home to equalise for Celtic and in stoppage time Australian forward McDonald stabbed home a low shot after Aiden McGeady's drive was deflected to him.

Aberdeen romped to a 4-0 home win over St Mirren with doubles from Scott Severin, both penalties, and Lee Miller.

Celtic returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League standings with 22 points from nine games, a point clear of Hibernian who recorded a 1-0 victory at Rangers on Saturday with a David Murphy goal.

Rangers remain third on 19 points from their nine matches.