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Five things we learned from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action

:Headline: Five things we learned from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action: ID:418827: from db_amp
Connor Goldson knows where the goal is, while St Johnstone also found their scoring touch.

The finale to the first round of Scottish Premiership fixtures proved significant.

Rangers extended their lead at the summit to four points after Connor Goldson's double earned them a 2-0 win at Celtic Park.

Aberdeen and Hibernian both dropped two points in goalless draws on the road against Dundee United and Ross County respectively.

There were away wins for St Johnstone and Kilmarnock while Motherwell had a second game in succession postponed because of their opponents' Covid-19 issues.

Here are five things we learned from Saturday's action – and inaction.

Rangers are title favourites

Steven Gerrard's side were installed as the bookmakers' favourites after a comfortable victory against a Celtic side who were unable to muster a shot on target. But celebrations were more muted than their previous Parkhead win in December last year, and not just because of the absence of their supporters. Rangers have capitulated after festive wins over Celtic in the past two seasons and need to focus on maintaining their form. Celtic manager Neil Lennon faces criticism and scrutiny but he will not panic after one defeat with the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie, James Forrest, Nir Bitton, Christopher Jullien and Hatem Abd Elhamed missing and both Albian Ajeti and Leigh Griffiths confined to cameo roles.

St Johnstone discover their scoring touch

Saints fired seven past Brechin the previous week to more than double their season's tally but were aware their opponents were the worst team in the league last season. However, they followed it up with a 5-3 victory at Hamilton – with Stevie May making it five goals in two games – to score more goals in one afternoon than they had in their previous 10 league games combined.

Hamilton need to stop giving teams three-goal starts

Brian Rice would have bitten your hand off a few weeks ago if you had told him his team would score five goals in their games against Hibernian and St Johnstone. However, they have ended up with no points. For the third time in four games – including their Betfred Cup defeat at Annan – Accies have gone 3-0 down.

The 38-game season is looking more and more precarious

St Mirren followed Kilmarnock in requesting the postponement of a visit from Motherwell, after a third Covid-19 case left them with only eight outfield players and four goalkeepers out of self-isolation. The SPFL has a major decision to make as they investigate both clubs' inability to field a team. With cases rising and winter approaching, four fixtures are already outstanding.

Two weeks in isolation did Kilmarnock little harm

Killie bounced back with a 3-1 win at Livingston several days after getting the bulk of their first-team squad out of self-isolation. "They've had two weeks without doing anything and to come in and put in a performance like that is very pleasing," said manager Alex Dyer.

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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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