Koreans strike late for Celtic

Injury-time goals by Korean duo Cha Du-Ri and Ki Sung-Yeung grabbed title chasing Celtic a vital three points yesterday with a 2-0 home win over St Johnstone.

The victory kept them two points behind rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League but it could have been four points had not the Koreans struck when the visitors were thinking they had earned a valuable point.

Rangers ran out easy 4-1 winners away at Motherwell.

Cha scored a wonder goal to claim his first goal for Celtic before fellow South Korean international Ki scored a breakaway goal three minutes into injury time as the Hoops ended a run of three successive draws at home in the league.

“It was a very frustrating day up until the first goal went in. We had to wait a long, long time for that but I’m delighted for them,” Celtic manager Neil Lennon said.

“It could have been a more disappointing day really but two great goals to end up what was a very happy finish for us.”

His St Johnstone counterpart Derek McInnes didn’t see a goal coming for Celtic.

“I felt we defended with a confidence and discipline about us. I thought we certainly frustrated Celtic,” he said.

“Any late goal against you is a hard one to take but when they come against good teams like Celtic it’s even harder and that’s why we are very disappointed.”

Elsewhere, Kenny Miller brought his tally for the season to 22 as Rangers claimed their first Premier League win in almost four years at Motherwell.

Fir Park had not been a happy hunting ground for the Scottish champions in recent seasons but a double from Miller, an own goal from Steven Saunders and a Vladimir Weiss strike sealed the win, with John Sutton’s effort nothing more than a consolation for the Steelmen.

Motherwell had managed to beat the weather to ensure this clash went ahead amid further fixture chaos caused by the freezing temperatures but failed to beat their visitors as Rangers strengthened their grasp on top spot with their first victory at this venue since January 2, 2007.

Aberdeen ended their seven-match losing streak and moved off the bottom with a 2-1 away win over Hibernian in Craig Brown’s first match in charge. Inverness stayed fourth despite losing 2-1 to St Mirren.

Results

Premier League
Celtic 2 - St Johnstone 0
Dundee Utd p - Hamilton p
Hibernian 1 - Aberdeen 2
Inverness 1 - St Mirren 2
Kilmarnock p - Hearts p
Motherwell 1 - Rangers 4

First Division
Partick Thistle 0 - Raith Rovers 0

Second Division
Alloa Athletic 2 - Livingston 2

Note: Several matches postponed due to frozen pitches.