Rangers got over their Old Firm derby defeat disappointment with a 3-0 win over Motherwell at Ibrox to remain two points behind Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
In a rare start David Healy fired Rangers into a first-half lead before Sone Aluko netted his first goal for the club ten minutes after the break.
Stephen Craigan then turned Lee Wallace’s shot into his own net in the 73rd minute to round off a comprehensive victory against third-placed Well.
However, the Gers still trail rivals Celtic after goals from Anthony Stokes, Victor Wanyama and Charlie Mulgrew sealed a 3-0 win for the Hoops away to Dunfermline.
At Ibrox, Rangers made three changes to the side that lost the Old Firm derby with Dorin Goian returning from suspension and Healy brought in for the injured Nikica Jelavic.
The Northern Ireland striker nearly made an instant impact when keeper Darren Randolph got out to block his early shot before Rangers were dealt a blow when Kyle Lafferty appeared to pull his hamstring and had to leave.
Healy looked to be in on goal after beating Tim Clancy to a challenge but Randolph raced out his goal to clear the danger. However, the Northern Irishman wasn’t to be denied in the 36th minute when he fired Rangers into the lead.
Aluko picked out Healy who took a touch before sending a low angled shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The goal seemed to spur Motherwell into action but Randolph did well to stop Lee Wallace’s volley as Rangers emerged from the interval hungry to add to their lead.
A goal was not long in coming with Aluko slotting home a shot past Randolph from the edge of the box in the 55th minute after Healy teed him up following a good passing move.
The keeper then made a great save to stop a fierce strike from Davis before Rangers extended their lead in the 73rd minute. Randolph saved Aluko’s initial shot but couldn’t do anything as Craigan turned Wallace’s follow-up effort into his own net.
Elsewhere, two goals in the last ten minutes handed Hearts a 3-1 win in the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian at Easter Road.
After a goalless first half, Ryan McGowan headed Hearts into a 58th-minute lead but Hibs were immediately on level terms when Marius Zaliuskas turned Danny Galbraith’s cross into his own net.
However, strikes from Andy Webster and substitute Rudi Skacel in the final minutes means Hearts move up to fifth spot and leaves Hibs languishing a point above the relegation spot.
Results
Premier League
Dundee Utd 1 - Aberdeen 2
Dunfermline 0 - Celtic 3
Hibernian 1 - Hearts 3
Kilmarnock 2 - St Mirren 1
Rangers 3 - Motherwell 0
Postponed
Inverness vs St Johnstone
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Celtic | 22 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 44 | 15 | 53 |
| Rangers | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 40 | 12 | 51 |
| Motherwell | 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 24 | 34 |
| St Johnstone | 21 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 26 | 20 | 32 |
| Hearts | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 15 | 32 |
| Dundee Utd | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 31 | 35 | 26 |
| Kilmarnock | 21 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 27 | 31 | 26 |
| St Mirren | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 23 | 29 | 26 |
| Aberdeen | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 29 | 24 |
| Inverness CT | 21 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 40 | 19 |
| Hibernian | 21 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 36 | 15 |
| Dunfermline | 20 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 20 | 46 | 14 |
Division One
Livingston 1 - Falkirk 2
Morton 3 - Ayr 1
Q’of South 1 - Hamilton 2
Raith 0 - Dundee 1
Postponed
Ross County vs Partick
Division Two
Airdrie 1 - Albion 0
Brechin 2 - Forfar 1
Cowdenbeath 4 - East Fife 0
Dumbarton 3 - Arbroath 2
Stirling 3 - S’housemuir 1
Division Three
Berwick 2 - Montrose 2
Clyde 1 - Queen’s Park 2
E. Stirlingshire 1 - Alloa 3
Peterhead 3 - Elgin City 0