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5 things we learned from the Scottish Premiership this weekend

:Headline: 5 things we learned from the Scottish Premiership this weekend: ID:353760: from db_amp
Celtic have one hand on the trophy

Celtic moved a major step closer to retaining the Ladbrokes Premiership title on Sunday and Hamilton extended their lead in the race to avoid the drop.

Here are five things we learned from the weekend's action.

1. Celtic have one hand on the trophy

Neil Lennon lapped up Celtic's late winner (Ian Rutherford/PA)

The celebrations after Odsonne Edouard netted a winner at Dundee deep into six minutes of stoppage-time told a story. Neil Lennon admitted his major emotion was relief after the Frenchman's last-gasp winner ensured Celtic avoided a second consecutive goalless draw. For the second week running, Rangers had handed the Hoops the chance to extend their lead and Lennon, given the difficult task of improving on Brendan Rodgers' legacy, saw his side move 10 points clear.

2. Brian Rice can get the better of Craig Levein

The Hamilton head coach and former Hibernian midfielder admitted before the visit of Hearts that he had never been on the winning side against the Tynecastle boss during their playing days on opposite sides of Edinburgh. But Rice got the upper hand on Saturday after bringing Aaron McGowan back into his team following a 3-0 defeat by Motherwell when Ziggy Gordon started at right-back in a flat back four. McGowan started at wing-back and netted the only goal with a stunning volley.

3. Steven Gerrard wants more protection

Steven Gerrard was unhappy with the response to Kilmarnock's tactics (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Rangers' opponents in their past four games – Aberdeen twice, Kilmarnock and Hibernian – have racked up 22 yellow cards but the Ibrox boss is not satisfied with that punishment. After a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock, Gerrard claimed there were a lot of "dangerous" fouls from the Ayrshire side. But Killie boss Steve Clarke felt Gers defender Connor Goldson was the player who was closest to getting a red card.

4. Target one almost complete for Paul Heckingbottom

Hibernian were in eighth place when the former Barnsley and Leeds boss took over but they took a massive step towards securing a top-six place with a 2-0 win over nearest rivals Motherwell. They now boast a five-point lead with three games left after Heckingbottom took his tally to 13 points from five games.

5. Aberdeen's home woes cut deep

After winning eight and drawing one of their last nine away games, manager Derek McInnes told his players to bring the calmness of their form on the road back to Pittodrie. McInnes felt his side had chased games too desperately after losing goals in recent weeks. But they failed to build on Niall McGinn's opener against Livingston as a 1-1 draw made it one win from their last nine home encounters.

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
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