Scotland: Celtic see off Motherwell to maintain streak

Leaders Celtic extended their cinch Premiership winning streak to seven matches with a battling 2-1 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.

The visitors survived an early scare when Kevin van Veen hit a post before taking the lead in the 15th minute through Kyogo Furuhashi.

Celtic, who had a Jota effort disallowed for offside, doubled their lead after 84 minutes when former Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull played a perfect ball over the top and Daizen Maeda drilled an effort underneath the goalkeeper.

Ross Tierney pulled one back two minutes later when he ran on to Callum Slattery's free-kick and volleyed home from 12 yards but Celtic saw out the win.

Second-placed Rangers returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Hearts at Ibrox.

Midfielder Malik Tillman, on loan from Bayern Munich, prodded home the only goal of the game in the 66th minute to ease the pressure on under-fire Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst following Sunday’s defeat to St Johnstone.

Celtic remain seven points clear at the top of the table, with one more round of fixtures before the World Cup break.

At the other end, Dundee United hauled themselves off the bottom with a thumping 4-0 victory over fellow strugglers Kilmarnock at Tannadice.

The Tangerines took a stranglehold on the game in the first half, netting through Kieran Freeman, Jamie McGrath and Glenn Middleton.

Dylan Levitt added a fourth in the 73rd minute as United moved above their opponents on goal difference.

Ten-man St Johnstone went sixth after a last-gasp Nicky Clark overhead kick earned a 2-2 draw at St Mirren.

The visitors took the lead in the 33rd minute as Graham Carey scored from the spot after a lengthy check for handball, but Greg Kiltie’s volley levelled proceedings before the break.