5 things we learned from this weekend’s cinch Premiership action

Celtic and Rangers both followed their very different derby experiences in similar fashion with the cinch Premiership’s top two hitting nine goals between them on Sunday.

There were important wins for three teams in the bottom six as St Mirren continued their good form against Hibernian, and Livingston and Ross County both won.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five things we learned from the weekend’s action.

The Hoops showed no sign of a comedown or difficulties adapting to the new pressure of leading the table as they thrashed Motherwell 4-0 at Fir Park. Just as they were against Rangers on Wednesday, Celtic were again 3-0 ahead following a dominant first-half display, and they maintained their levels after the break as they threatened time and again.

With Motherwell, Hibernian and Aberdeen losing, there is only a seven-point difference from the Steelmen in fourth to Ross County in 10th. Two points separate the five teams in the middle of the league and any team that can put a run together could see themselves propelled into a European position. Dundee United moved up into the top six despite failing to score for the third consecutive game.

St Johnstone and Dundee look increasingly adrift in the bottom two and need wins soon to stay in touch. Saints are unbeaten in three and might look upon their point against United as a decent one after having Melker Hallberg sent off, but Dundee’s home defeat by Ross County was a major blow which left them eight points back from guaranteed safety and without a league win in nine matches.

Amid a dramatic encounter in West Lothian as 10-man Livingston beat Aberdeen 2-1, on-loan Aston Villa forward Chukwuemeka was brought on in the 84th minute and promptly taken off seven minutes