Scottish league Saturday review

Celtic returned to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a comfortable 3-1 win over St Mirren at Parkhead.

A Chris Innes own goal and a Georgios Samaras strike gave the home side a two-goal cushion before Buddies substitute Michael Higdon, on for Andy Dorman, reduced the deficit just before the break.

Scott McDonald grabbed a third just after the hour mark but was involved in a moment of farce with seconds remaining after Innes had conceded a penalty with a blatant handball. Referee Steve Conroy, thinking he had booked lnnes earlier, sent the St Mirren defender off, only to send for him to come back on after realising he had made a mistake.

McDonald had his penalty saved by Buddies keeper Paul Gallacher, who also blocked the Celtic striker's second attempt from the rebound.

However, when the confusing incident had ended, Hoops trooped off two points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers, who have a game in hand.

The Ibrox men's defeat at Aberdeen earlier in the day provided the home side with the perfect incentive.

The Light Blues' woeful record at Pittodrie continued as they were beaten 1-0 by a battling 10-man Aberdeen.

The Dons, who have now only lost once to the Glasgow giants in their last nine visits to the Granite City, took the lead after 17 minutes when Lee Miller reacted smartly to prod home Michael Paton's driven cross for his third goal of the season.

However, Mark McGhee's side were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark when captain Mark Kerr was shown a second yellow for a challenge on Steven Naismith. Rangers threw everything at the Dons until the final whistle but the home side managed to withstand the pressure to earn a hard-fought victory.

A Derek Riordan double took Hibernian level on points with Rangers after they battled to a 2-0 victory against Falkirk.

The Scotland forward struck a sweet volley in the first half - with the aid of a deflection off Bairns centre-back Brian McLean - before settling the outcome two minutes from time.

Christian Nade's second goal in as many matches proved to be the winner as Hearts secured their first league victory in six games, winning 2-1 at Kilmarnock.

Eggert Jonsson opened the scoring in the second half and Nade added the visitors' second 11 minutes later.

Kevin Kyle missed an 87th-minute penalty for Kilmarnock - who dominated the first half and had a goal ruled offside - before Craig Bryson scored their consolation a minute later.

Jon Daly continued his comeback from serious injury by earning nine-man Dundee United a 2-2 draw against Motherwell.

Motherwell looked in control after recovering from Andy Webster's early opener to lead through John Sutton and Lukas Jutkiewicz, but Daly levelled in the 83rd minute despite Prince Buaben's earlier red card.

St Johnstone and Hamilton had to settle for a share of the spoils as Filipe Morais' first-half equaliser earned a point for the home side in a 1-1 draw.