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Five talking points from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action

:Headline: Five talking points from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action: ID:415197: from db_amp
Rangers continue to lead Celtic at the top.

Rangers' lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership was cut to a point following the latest weekend of action.

Celtic were pushed to the end in a 3-2 win over Livingston but finished the weekend two points closer to their rivals after Hibernian held the leaders to a 2-2 draw in Edinburgh.

Elsewhere there were wins for Kilmarnock, Dundee United, Ross County and Motherwell.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five other things we learned from the weekend's fixtures.

Celtic have a genuine alternative up front

Celtic's Albian Ajeti, left, celebrates scoring his side's third goal (PA)

Albian Ajeti demonstrated why Neil Lennon felt comfortable giving fatigued star striker Odsonne Edouard a rest, by sweeping home a fabulous finish to claim his fourth goal in five league games. The Frenchman had to carry the vast majority of Celtic's goalscoring burden last season before Leigh Griffiths returned to fitness, but Ajeti has added extra threat amid the fresh absence of the Scotland striker.

St Johnstone stumble out the blocks again

Callum Davidson's team have conceded the opening goal in seven of their eight games. With just two wins so far, that is a problem the Perth boss needs to fix sharply. Saturday's defeat by Ross County was their fourth 1-0 loss in five matches.

Lawrence Shankland is up and running

After netting 24 goals in 26 Championship games for Dundee United, expectations were high for the Scotland striker this season. However, an ankle problem meant Saturday's visit of St Mirren was only his second start. The forward lit up the first half with a brilliant volleyed finish to claim his first Premiership goal and more look set to follow.

Rangers' defence can be breached

Drey Wright fired Hibernian in front (PA)

Steven Gerrard's team had set a new British record after kicking off the season with seven straight clean sheets but in truth they had been rarely tested in those opening fixtures. Their streak was shattered as Drey Wright and Christian Doidge capitalised on some slack play in the Rangers back four to net at Easter Road.

Motherwell have rediscovered their form

The Steelmen began the weekend bottom of the table despite grinding out victory over St Johnstone last time out. But they delivered a confident display to record a 3-0 victory at Aberdeen, who failed to muster a shot on target.

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
CCeltic550095306593
2RangersRangers531187325585
3Hearts513154421268
4Kilmarnock51224644256
5St Mirren51134652-647
6Dundee50144968-1942
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen54104852-448
2Hibernian52125259-746
3Motherwell52035659-343
4St Johnstone51132954-2535
5Ross County51223867-2935
RLivingston52122970-4125
 
First Phase
CCeltic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718
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