With only three games played in the SPL both Celtic and Rangers dropped points giving their rivals a chance to close the gap.

Ten-man Rangers lost their unbeaten record away to Motherwell with the home team unlucky not to clinch the game in an entertaining 0-0 draw.

Allan McGregor saved well from Jim O’Brien’s spot kick with less than five minutes remaining after Madjid Bougherra was shown a second yellow for pulling down Lukas Jutkiewicz in the area.

After a slow start to the game, Rangers had the better of the first-half chances with Kenny Miller firing over the crossbar and John Ruddy forced into some solid saves in the Motherwell goal.

The Well came out for the second half looking livelier though and immediately threatened with McGregor dealing with a dangerous cross from Steven Hammill.

Both sides had chances to seal a win but new Motherwell boss Jim Gannon will feel his team failed to take advantage of a great opportunity to secure all three points.

Celtic were a goal down to Dundee United after only six minutes when David Goodwillie scored high into the back of the net for the visitors.

However the Bhoys levelled just ten minutes later with Scott McDonald equalising with a header from close range.

In the day’s other game St Johnstone and St Mirren played out a 1-1 draw with Billy Mehmet converting a penalty on 33 minutes and Jody Morris equalising for the Saints four minutes later.

Kilmarnock’s trip to Hearts was postponed as their team bus got stuck in bad traffic following a chemical spill on the M8 motorway.

Gannon reaction:

Boss Jim Gannon insists Motherwell blew a golden chance to inflict a shock defeat on Rangers after their 0-0 draw at Fir Park.

The champions were let off the hook by Jim O’Brien, who saw his penalty saved by Allan McGregor after Madjid Bougherra had been sent off for hauling down Lukas Jutkiewicz.

Well more than matched Walter Smith’s men for long periods to leave Gannon with mixed feelings.

“I’m very proud of my players in the way we set about our business – we played a lot of good football and had some great chances,” said Gannon.

“That’s why I’ve got a tinge of disappointment that we didn’t take all of the points but at least we showed what a good football team we are becoming.

“Jim O’Brien shouldn’t be too down on himself because he missed the penalty – it was a great save to keep it out.

“We’ve just got to keep going and build on this.”