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5 things we learned from the Scottish Premiership this weekend

Celtic went eight points clear with a win over Motherwell as Rangers discovered they could score without Alfredo Morelos.

Celtic went eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 4-1 win over Motherwell at Parkhead.

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

It takes some unusual tactics to score against Celtic

James Scott, left, sparked a furore
James Scott, left, sparked a furore against Celtic (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Celtic conceded their first domestic goal of 2019 in hugely controversial circumstances as teenager James Scott ran on to a throw-in as Celtic expected the ball back after putting it out to allow treatment to Ryan Christie. Gboly Ariyibi netted the rebound after the 18-year-old's shot was saved but Celtic added a further two goals to make the furore irrelevant.

St Mirren are still battling for survival

The bottom side might have felt sorry for themselves at Tynecastle when they went behind in the 55th minute to a Clevid Dikamona goal after being the better side. However, the Buddies refused to buckle and came battling back although it took an own goal from Sean Clare to give them a second successive draw.

Edinburgh derby rivalry is lasting

Aston Villa's former St Mirren and Hibernian midfielder John McGinn weighed in after Hearts defender Clevid Dikamona posted footage of a shocking challenge on him from Buddies midfielder Greg Tansey and included the SPFL twitter account in a reply. "Grass," was McGinn's response. Dikamona responded: "You're probably the kind of player who does this, knowing you're protected by a referee after..."

Seven down for St Johnstone

Tommy Wright's side were beaten 2-0 at home to Aberdeen on Saturday after slipping out of the top six when Hibernian beat Dundee on Friday. Saints have now gone seven games without a win, with six defeats in that sequence.

Rangers can score without Alfredo Morelos

Steven Gerrard's side had not won in the previous five games this season when the Colombian was missing through suspension and drew a blank in the first two games of their top goalscorer's three-match ban. But five players weighed in with goals in a 5-0 thrashing of Hamilton as Morelos completed his ban – including Kyle Lafferty, who netted his first league goal in five months.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers pictured on December 29, 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic23193164115360
2RangersRangers22135441182344
3Dundee UnitedDundee Utd2310763124737
4Aberdeen2210573230235
5Motherwell2394102837-931
6Hibernian237883436-229
7Dundee2376103741-427
8St Mirren2383122738-1127
9Kilmarnock2367102537-1225
10Ross County2367102342-1925
11Hearts2366112531-624
12St Johnstone2343162547-2215


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