The game of the night in the top flight came at Pittodrie where Celtic ran up a two-goal lead in the first half before Aberdeen mounted a surprise comeback after the interval through goals from Christian Ramirez and Lewis Ferguson. Yet, it didn’t last long with Jota restoring the away side’s lead in what is a big three points in the title race with Rangers running out comfortable 2-0 winners at Ibrox against Hibs.
Shaun Maloney’s men have now dropped to seventh with the Dons in ninth due to wins from Dundee United and St Mirren, plus Livingston drawing at Ross County. Tony Watt grabbed his first goal for United against former club Motherwell with just six points separating fourth and tenth.
Hearts maintain a ten-point lead in third but were booed off as they fell defeat to Dundee who were bottom of the table but a spirited second-half display to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win lifted them into 11th with St Johnstone going down at St Mirren. There are now two points in it at the bottom.
The Championship can best be described as frantic. Ayr United recorded a surprise win at rivals Kilmarnock with an 80th minute goal, top of the table Arbroath rescued a point with a stoppage time penalty in a 2-2 draw with Hamilton and Kirk Broadfoot grabbed a 94th-minute equaliser for Inverness CT against Partick Thistle.
Scroll down and click through for all the latest news and transfer speculation from around the SPFL.
5. Balogun injury update
Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Rangers will have to play a waiting game over Leon Balogun. The centre-back was injured during the 2-0 win over Hibs on Wednesday having only recently returned to the first team. Van Bronckhorst said: "For him it's been a difficult time, through injury, and he just came back but hopefully for him it's not that serious, but we have to wait and see." (RangersTV) Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group
6. Rangers goalkeeper pursuit boost
Rangers have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Schalke goalkeeper Martin Fraisl. The Austrian is out of contract at the end of the season and is attracting interest from a number of sides. Schalke’s sporting director Rouven Schroder said: "We're monitoring his situation closely, but our focus is currently on day-to-day business and therefore, there will not be any concrete contract talks with him in the near future." (Scottish Sun) Photo: Soccrates Images
7. Livi boss hopeful on new Forrest deal
Livingston boss David Martindale is hopeful winger Alan Forrest will remain at the club. The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and had the option to join St Johnstone in January. He has emerged as a key player at Livi in recent weeks and scored the goal in the 1-1 draw with Ross County. Martindale said: "Hopefully Alan sees his future at Livingston.” (The Scotsman) Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
8. Rangers sign youth international
Rangers have signed Romanian youth international Kevin Ciubotaru. The left-back has agreed a two-year deal at Ibrox after coming through the London-based Kinetic Foundation. The 18-year-old, who was previously on the books of SK Rapid Vienna, will join up with the Rangers B-team and ply his trade in the Lowland League in the first instance. (The Scotsman) Photo: Alan Harvey - SNS Group