Dundee United returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership table with a convincing 3-0 win over a subdued St Mirren side at Tannadice.
Jackie McNamara’s team beat Tommy Craig’s men with goals from Paul Paton, Nadir Ciftci and Charlie Telfer. It ensured the Tayside club leapfrogged Hamilton to round off a successful week, having earlier confirmed their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Tony Andreu was the hero for Hamilton, with an equaliser late into stoppage time in a 3-3 draw with Partick Thistle. Two goals in the space of two minutes, from Darian MacKinnon and Danny Redmond, had put the home side in front but Thistle managed to restore parity thanks to Jordan McMillan and James Craigen.
Christie Elliott then thought he had claimed the winner for the visitors, until Andreu salvaged a point for the hosts with the last kick of the game.
Dundee moved into the top six of the Scottish Premiership as they eventually beat Kilmarnock 3-1 at Rugby Park.
Greg Stewart gave them the lead just before the break, and the in-form David Clarkson doubled their advantage soon after the restart. Alexei Eremenko gave Kilmarnock hope with a great turn and finish, but despite their late rally Dundee sealed the win late on with Stewart’s second of the game.
In the third round of the Scottish Cup, Kris Boyd’s third goal in five games handed Rangers a 1-0 win over Dumbarton and secured them a place in the fourth round.
The Lowland League side Spartans defeated Barry Ferguson’s Clyde team 2-0 thanks to two penalties from Kevin Motion. Two goals from Peter Weatherspoon allowed League Two side Annan Athletic to claim a place in the fourth round with a 2-0 win over Championship side Livingston at Galabank.
Celtic and Rangers will resume their rivalry after being paired together in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals. The game – which will take place on 31 January or 1 February – will be the first meeting between the clubs since the financial collapse of Rangers in 2012. The holders, Aberdeen, will face Dundee United in the other semi‑final.
