Brown dismissal gives Bhoys headache

CELTIC went top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier league with a narrow 1-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead but saw skipper Scott Brown sent off which will see him miss Sunday’s Old Firm game at Ibrox.

Former Derry City man Paddy McCourt’s first-half strike separated the sides, but the Hoops should have had at least another three in a one-sided first half and in the 89th minute Brown, booked earlier for a foul on Chris Humphrey, received a second yellow for a foul on Stevie Hammell.

Celtic, who also saw substitute Daryl Murphy limp off injured, are now one point clear of Rangers, albeit having played two games more than the champions, but manager Neil Lennon will have to look for a replacement for the hot-headed Brown.

For their part, Motherwell, expected to confirm Stuart McCall as their new manager this morning, were poor again and will need some reorganising by the former Scotland international.

Elsewhere, David Templeton produced two moments of magic to conjure up victory for Hearts at St Mirren as they kept the pressure on the Old Firm with a 2-0 win.

Firstly, the in-form winger teased his way through the middle of a powerless St Mirren defence before netting with a calm finish to put the visitors ahead on 63 minutes.

He then won the penalty which Kevin Kyle dispatched, to leave Hearts in third place and the only credible title challenger to Rangers and Celtic.

Elsewhere, Aberdeen snuck a last-gasp 1-0 win at Hamilton while Hibernian also left it late to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Dundee United.

Irishman Richie Foran was on target for Inverness Caledonian Thistle but couldn’t prevent them losing 3-1 at home to Kilmarnock.