Celtic lead over Rangers stays at nine points

Hoops beat Hearts 3-1 to keep their nine-point lead over Rangers at Ange Postecoglou's 100th game in charge

GLASGOW:

Celtic came from behind to maintain their nine-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-1 win over Hearts on Wednesday.

Rangers also conceded first at Hibs before running out 4-1 winners in Edinburgh with Antonio Colak on target twice.

In the first of two meetings between the sides in four days, Hearts shocked Celtic Park when Josh Ginnelly headed in on six minutes.

However, Ange Postecoglou's men reacted to protect their 100 percent record at home in the league this season.

Daizen Maeda injured himself in bravely diving in to meet Kyogo Furuhashi's cross to level before half-time.

Furuhashi then put the Hoops in front with his 20th Premiership goal of the season before substitute Sead Haksabanovic sealed the three points.

"We had to work hard for the points tonight as we weren't at our fluent best," said Postecoglou.

"We looked disjointed (at) the start, but the boys have again shown a really strong mentality and scored three excellent goals to get the job done."

Rangers refused to give up the chase of their Old Firm rivals despite falling behind early to Connor Goldson's own goal at Easter Road.

Hibs had been unbeaten in five but were blown away after James Tavernier quickly restored parity from the penalty spot.

Colak justified his selection by Michael Beale with a double either side of Fashion Sakala's low drive to make it 3-1.

"The response was fantastic," said Beale. "We scored four and could have scored double that."

Dundee United remain bottom of the table but closed to within three points of safety after a 1-1 draw at Livingston.