Boyd double keeps Gers in title mix

A Kris Boyd double helped Rangers to a convincing 3-0 win over St Johnstone to keep them two points behind Celtic in the race for the Scottish Premier League title.

Celtic's 3-2 win over Motherwell in the early kick-off meant Rangers started the game five behind but they showed no signs of nerves as Boyd netted within 30 seconds.

A slack clearance allowed DaMarcus Beasley to play in Boyd, who spun on the edge of the box and sent a measured shot beyond former Rangers keeper Graeme Smith.

Nacho Novo won the home side a penalty in the 27th minute. The Spaniard was quickest to a loose ball in the box but was sent flying by the trailing hand of Smith as he rounded the keeper.

Boyd stepped up to take the penalty and he buried his shot low into the bottom left-hand corner.

The lively Novo added a third in the 51st minute. Beasley's cross picked out Miller in the box whose shot was well saved by Smith but Novo was there to drill the rebound into the net from 10 yards.

In the early kick-off Georgios Samaras gave Celtic the lead before goals from Lukas Jutkiewicz and Mark Reynolds sent Motherwell in ahead at the break.

Aiden McGeady scored Celtic's 1,000th SPL goal to equalise and Barry Robson missed a penalty before substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune scored a 25-yard screamer within seconds of coming on to seal the win.