Celtic close gap on Rangers

Celtic reduced the gap at the top of the Scottish Premier League to one point with a 2-0 win over Hamilton yesterday.

A super first-half strike from Glenn Loovens was all that separated the sides at Celtic Park until substitute Niall McGinn curled in a last minute goal.

Despite a plethora of chances for the home side the Hoops failed to show any real prowess in front of goal in a frustrating afternoon for Tony Mowbray's strikers.

However the win piles the pressure on rivals Rangers who take on Hibernian at Easter Road today.

"We played well in patches and were in total control and certainly missed a few opportunities," Celtic manager Mowbray said.

"Credit to Hamilton for making it difficult for long spells."

Hamilton manager Billy Reid had no complaints about the result.

"I think over the 90 minutes Celtic deserved to win the game," Reid said.

"I was disappointed with how we started the game and we showed Celtic too much respect."

The post-Craig Levein era at Dundee United began in frustrating fashion as wasted chances saw them held to a goalless draw by Kilmarnock.

Caretaker boss Peter Houston watched his side dominate the first half at Tannadice only for Jon Daly - twice - and David Goodwillie to produce close-range blunders.

Sean Dillon also hit the bar and Damian Casalinuovo missed a golden opportunity, while Killie twice saw goals chalked off but gained a valuable point in their battle against the drop.

Peter MacDonald put his injury frustration firmly behind him as he struck a second-half hat-trick to give St Johnstone a 3-1 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.