CELTIC piled the pressure on Old Firm rivals Rangers with a convincing 4-0 win over Hamilton to take them six points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
A Georgios Samaras double - his first goals for Celtic since January - came either side of an Aiden McGeady strike as the champions coasted to victory.
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came on for Scott McDonald and notched his first goal since September to add the icing on the cake.
Rangers travel to Falkirk tomorrow in disarray after the Ibrox club suspended Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor following the aftermath of a drinking incident which eventually led to them being handed lifetime Scotland bans.
Celtic took full advantage in a one-sided game and can sit back in comfort as the spotlight swings back to their arch-rivals.
Substitute David Goodwillie grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to earn Dundee United a 2-2 draw against Hibernian.
Hibs appeared to be cruising to victory at Tannadice when Colin Nish netted twice in a blistering four-minute spell, before Craig Conway missed from the penalty spot for United.
But Garry Kenneth hauled the home side back into the match early in the second half before Goodwillie came off the bench to have the final say with a last-gasp equaliser.
Striker Calum Elliot capped his return to the first team with a brace as Hearts came from behind to consolidate third place with a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock.
Killie took the lead in the eighth minute through Danny Invincibile but Elliot struck twice before the interval.
Bruno Aguiar extended the hosts' lead five minutes after the restart with a close-range finish before then hitting a penalty against the post.
Hearts had further chances to win by a greater margin as they moved seven points clear in third.
Inverness came from behind against St Mirren to pick up a precious 2-1 victory in their quest to escape relegation.
The visitors took the lead after only seven minutes when Andy Dorman pounced on a loose pass from Lionel Djebi-Zadi to slot the ball past Michael Fraser.
However, Caley equalised just before the break in spectacular fashion, with Filipe Morais rounding off a superb team move with an accurate finish from distance.
The Portuguese grabbed a second soon after the restart with a low strike from the edge of the box.
Chris Maguire carried his Scotland Under-21 form into the SPL to rescue a 1-1 draw for below-par Aberdeen at Motherwell.
Jim O'Brien's first goal for for the Fir Parkers gave them an early lead which looked comfortable until Maguire lashed home a 68th-minute equaliser.
Aberdeen soon had Andrew Considine sent off for a second booking but Motherwell created less chances against 10 men than they had against 11, and Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield made a brilliant injury-time save from Jamie Murphy.
Aberdeen had rarely threatened before Maguire added to his two goals in two games for the under-21s against Albania.
But the point leaves them virtually assured of a top-six place as they sit four points ahead of Motherwell and Hibs.
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Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came on for Scott McDonald and notched his first goal since September to add the icing on the cake.
Rangers travel to Falkirk tomorrow in disarray after the Ibrox club suspended Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor following the aftermath of a drinking incident which eventually led to them being handed lifetime Scotland bans.
Celtic took full advantage in a one-sided game and can sit back in comfort as the spotlight swings back to their arch-rivals.
Substitute David Goodwillie grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to earn Dundee United a 2-2 draw against Hibernian.
Hibs appeared to be cruising to victory at Tannadice when Colin Nish netted twice in a blistering four-minute spell, before Craig Conway missed from the penalty spot for United.
But Garry Kenneth hauled the home side back into the match early in the second half before Goodwillie came off the bench to have the final say with a last-gasp equaliser.
Striker Calum Elliot capped his return to the first team with a brace as Hearts came from behind to consolidate third place with a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock.
Killie took the lead in the eighth minute through Danny Invincibile but Elliot struck twice before the interval.
Bruno Aguiar extended the hosts' lead five minutes after the restart with a close-range finish before then hitting a penalty against the post.
Hearts had further chances to win by a greater margin as they moved seven points clear in third.
Inverness came from behind against St Mirren to pick up a precious 2-1 victory in their quest to escape relegation.
The visitors took the lead after only seven minutes when Andy Dorman pounced on a loose pass from Lionel Djebi-Zadi to slot the ball past Michael Fraser.
However, Caley equalised just before the break in spectacular fashion, with Filipe Morais rounding off a superb team move with an accurate finish from distance.
The Portuguese grabbed a second soon after the restart with a low strike from the edge of the box.
Chris Maguire carried his Scotland Under-21 form into the SPL to rescue a 1-1 draw for below-par Aberdeen at Motherwell.
Jim O'Brien's first goal for for the Fir Parkers gave them an early lead which looked comfortable until Maguire lashed home a 68th-minute equaliser.
Aberdeen soon had Andrew Considine sent off for a second booking but Motherwell created less chances against 10 men than they had against 11, and Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield made a brilliant injury-time save from Jamie Murphy.
Aberdeen had rarely threatened before Maguire added to his two goals in two games for the under-21s against Albania.
But the point leaves them virtually assured of a top-six place as they sit four points ahead of Motherwell and Hibs.
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