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From Kearney to Kenny... 5 Things to catch the eye in the Scottish Premiership

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Hearts extended their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to five points after a 1-0 victory over Motherwell after Celtic were held by St Mirren on Friday night.

Here are five other things we learned from the weekend's action.

1. Oran Kearney has worked some magic at St Mirren

Anton Ferdinand enjoyed a positive St Mirren debut
Anton Ferdinand enjoyed a positive St Mirren debut (Graham Stuart/PA)

The former Coleraine boss enlisted the help of a magician friend to perform some card tricks and hypnosis fun in the dressing room ahead of his first match in charge. The signing of former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand also helped as Saints held Celtic to a goalless draw after conceding 12 goals in Alan Stubbs' final four matches in charge.

2. Kenny Miller is still appreciated by the Rangers support

Kenny Miller trudged off to a warm ovation
Kenny Miller trudged off to a warm ovation (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Miller left Rangers for a third time in acrimonious circumstances after being suspended and fined following the post-match analysis of their Hampden defeat by Celtic last season. But he was exonerated by an SPFL tribunal this month and he was afforded a warm ovation as his Dundee team lost 4-0 at Ibrox. Unfortunately for the 38-year-old striker, it took a late red card to provide the platform for his belated farewell.

3. Hearts have staying power

Craig Levein's side passed a serious test thanks to Steven Naismith's goal at Fir Park. Home games against Livingston and St Johnstone give them the chance to extend their perfect start to the season before facing Rangers at Ibrox.

4. Motherwell back-up goalkeeper Mark Gillespie looks solid

The former Carlisle and Walsall player made two good stops and clutched a couple of crosses after struggling with one aerial ball after replacing the injured Trevor Carson. Carson suffered a nasty ankle injury as Uche Ikpeazu charged down his clearance and faces a spell on the sidelines.

5. Livingston can string wins together

Gary Holt enjoyed a third consecutive victory as Livi boss as the play-off winners beat Hamilton 1-0 to join Celtic on 10 points. The West Lothian side have made a better start to life in the top flight than Rangers did following their promotion two years ago.

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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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