Scottish Premiership: Celtic extend lead to 25 points as Rangers implode

Dedryck Boyata headed his second goal in three games to earn Celtic a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen and send the Premiership leaders 25 points clear of their closest title rivals Rangers.

The Belgian defender had seized his chance after stepping in for the suspended Erik Sviatchenko against Albion Rovers and he netted his second winner in only his fifth appearance of the season.

Without a recognised striker Celtic had toiled to break the Dons down before Boyata converted Scott Sinclair’s 57th-minute free-kick, though Aberdeen had offered little sign that they could stop their hosts stretching their record unbeaten start to a domestic season to 28 games.

Hearts, meanwhile, claimed their biggest victory over Rangers in 21 years as the Ibrox men were blown away 4-1 at Tynecastle. Not since Allan Johnstone grabbed a hat-trick back in January 1996 had the Jambos routed the Light Blues by three goals.

But the hosts devoured every mistake made by Mark Warburton’s shambolic Gers back-line as they dished out a remarkable thrashing.

Krystian Nowak’s fourth-minute opener was cancelled out by Emerson Hyndman’s second goal in successive games. But Jamie Walker’s second-half double either side of Don Cowie’s tap-in sealed a precious victory for the Hearts manager, Ian Cathro. It is only his third win since replacing Robbie Neilson but ensures his team stay in fourth place.

Rangers also cling on to second place but Warburton will face more questions over his management after his defence imploded in a fashion similar to September’s 5-1 Old Firm disaster.

St Johnstone took all three points at Firhill after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle. The home side dominated large swaths of the first half but Saints capitalised on a defensive mishap to go into the break in the lead.

Callum Booth’s unfortunate back-pass five minutes before half-time allowed Steven MacLean to put the visitors in front against the run of play. Despite much huff and puff in the second 45, both goalkeepers were rarely tested and Partick’s Christie Elliott was sent off late on for lashing out at Graham Cummins.