Goals by Scott McDonald, Scott Brown and Aiden McGeady helped Celtic beat basement side Gretna 3-0 as the reigning champions moved back to the top of the SPL at the expense of Glasgow rivals Rangers.

Rangers' 2-1 win at Hibernian earlier in the day saw the Ibrox side leapfrog the Hoops at the top by one point - but that lasted only a few hours.

During a lacklustre first-half at Celtic Park, McDonald shot the home side into the lead from the edge of the box, with Brown notching just after the interval, and McGeady scored a third in the final minute with the help of a deflection off Ryan McGuffie.

Meanwhile at Easter Road, goals from Steven Naismith and Daniel Cousin suggested a comfortable afternoon for Rangers before Hibs hit back late on.

Merouane Zemmama netted with just three minutes to go but it was too little too late from the home side.

Motherwell consolidated third spot by beating Dundee United 5-3, but the afternoon at Fir Park was marred by the tragic death of 'Well skipper Phil O'Donnell.

David Clarkson scored twice, with Stephen Hughes, Chris Porter and Ross McCormack also on target for Mark McGhee's side - who had lost their previous two matches.

David Robertson replied and Noel Hunt netted twice late on for United.

Steve Lovell scored in his second successive game to hand Aberdeen a 1-0 victory in a dismal game against St Mirren at Love Street.

Lovell, who earned Jimmy Calderwood's side a point against Gretna on Boxing Day, pounced on a poor header by Alan Reid and fired past Chris Smith to boost Aberdeen's hopes of a return to Europe next season.

St Mirren's closest effort came when Franco Miranda dragged a shot at goal across the six-yard box and Billy Mehmet slid in to direct the ball just wide of the post.

Inverness bounced back from their Boxing Day loss at Falkirk as they convincingly defeated Kilmarnock 3-1 to make it six wins out of seven in the league.

The Highlanders broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Grant Munro's long throw found John Rankin and, after his drive was blocked by Alan Combe, Marius Niculae pounced to score from close range.

A cool finish from Don Cowie and a second goal from Niculae then confirmed a thoroughly-deserved victory for Inverness, with the only blemish coming via a late penalty from Colin Nish following a handball by Munro.

In the day's final game struggling Hearts suffered a fifth consecutive defeat as Falkirk stunned them with two late goals to snatch a 2-1 success.

The Tynecastle side went ahead in the 27th minute through the head of Ruben Palazuelos and had chances to double their lead prior to the break.

But the hosts hit back in the second half with substitute Carl Finnigan finding the net in the 78th minute, and Michael Higdon secured three points for Falkirk soon afterwards with a well-placed shot.

Sporting Life / Eurosport