Hoops pull away from champions Rangers

Gers now without league goal for 293 minutes

A Paddy McCourt goal and a late strike from Shaun Maloney gave Celtic a routine 2-0 victory over St Mirren in their Premier League encounter at St Mirren Park yesterday.

A dull match only came to life in the 27th minute when McCourt picked up the ball in midfield and skipped past a variety of challenges before driving past Paul Gallacher.

The SPL leaders were rarely troubled and 12 minutes from the end Maloney curled the ball past Gallacher to seal the win and give Celtic a five-point lead at the top of the table.

Rangers could only cut that advantage to four as they notched up their third successive goalless league draw after being held by Aberdeen at Ibrox.

The Dons' unwanted statistic of failing to register a win at the Glasgow venue since 1991 remains but the Pittodrie side will no doubt have been the happier of the two teams.

The Scottish champions have now gone 293 minutes without scoring a league goal and know they will be under pressure to regain their form when Celtic come calling next weekend.

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