Celtic scored twice in six second-half minutes to maintain their two-point advantage over nearest rivals Rangers at the summit of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Paul Hartley created both goals at Dundee United, the first of which came in the 69th minute when Jan Venegoor of Hesselink headed in from a corner.

Shortly afterwards Stephen McManus connected with Hartley's free-kick to bundle the ball in to seal a vital 2-0 victory.

Earlier in the day, Rangers delivered a Boxing Day blow to Motherwell and gave their own title hopes a boost with a 3-1 victory at Ibrox.

Daniel Cousin opened the scoring shortly before the break, before battling Motherwell hauled themselves back into the game through Paul Quinn.

Chris Porter then bundled the ball into the back of his own net, with a last-gasp strike from Kris Boyd securing victory for Rangers.

Hearts' campaign plummeted to new depths after St Mirren midfielder Stephen McGinn's first-half strike condemned the Gorgie side to their ninth defeat of the season.

McGinn struck in the 16th minute with a clinical finish from inside the box after meeting Ian Maxwell's cross.

Hearts lacked penetration in attack in a woeful home performance which prompted boos at the full-time whistle.

Goals from Colin Nish and Mehdi Taouil were enough to give Kilmarnock only their second league win in 14 games as they scraped past Hibernian 2-1 at Rugby Park.

Nish headed Jamie Hamill's cross past Hibernian goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay in the 35th minute, then in the 75th minute he set up Taouil to volley home from around 10 yards out.

Hibernian's half-time substitute Dean Shiels, on for Patrick Noubissie, scored an 89th-minute penalty after he was brought down by home goalkeeper Alan Combe but the home side held on for three welcome points.

Substitute Allan Jenkins thumped home an injury-time equaliser to hand Gretna a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Fir Park.

Steve Lovell had struck four minutes from time to break the deadlock and put Aberdeen on course for all three points against the SPL's bottom club.

Kenny Deuchar earned and missed a penalty for the hosts a minute later but Jenkins made amends as he lashed home a fine equaliser 17 seconds into injury time.

Inverness saw their five-match winning run in the SPL come to an end as recalled defender Gerard Aafjes grabbed the only goal to secure maximum points for Falkirk.

Aafjes, back in action after a foot injury, headed the only goal of the game in the 35th minute and Falkirk missed several second-half chances to extend their lead.

Craig Brewster's Inverness side were well below their best and could have few complaints about the result.

Team Talk / Eurosport