Celtic trim Rangers’ lead

RANGERS’ commanding lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League was trimmed to eight points after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Motherwell while Celtic were 2-0 winners at home to Hearts.

Kris Boyd struck an equaliser 10 minutes from full-time to deny Motherwell a rare victory over the champions at Fir Park.

Well had gone ahead after 28 minutes thanks to Tom Hateley – the son of former Rangers hero Mark Hateley – who fired in a stunning free-kick that left goalkeeper Allan McGregor with no chance.

The hosts looked like they would hold on to that advantage before Boyd stepped up to grab a share of the spoils.

Celtic grabbed their two goals inside two second-half minutes to inch closer to their city rivals.

Glenn Loovens put the Hoops ahead in the 49th minute when he converted with his second attempt following a Diomansy Kamara corner.

A minute later Marc-Antonie Fortune calmly slid in a second after being sent clear by Aiden McGeady.

Abdessalam Benjelloun stepped off the substitutes’ bench to score an 88th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot as Hibernian drew 2-2 with Aberdeen.

The Dons took a 2-0 lead into half-time after goals from Michael Paton and recent signing Steven MacLean.

Anthony Stokes pulled a goal back five minutes after the break before Benjelloun’s equaliser.

At the other end of the table, Hamilton lifted themselves out of last place thanks to a goal from each of the Paixao twins as they defeated a lacklustre Dundee United 2-0.

Falkirk slipped into the relegation places after they lost 1-0 at home to Kilmarnock.

Michael Higdon rescued a point for St Mirren as they drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers St Johnstone.