Celtic shook off their midweek misery by putting Kilmarnock to the sword at Celtic Park with a 3-0 win that extended their lead to four points over Rangers.

Aiden McGeady’s 13th minute shot went in off the post before Georgios Samaras doubled the margin with a header from Andreas Hinkel’s cross. Niall McGinn made it three 12 minutes from time.

Hamilton recorded their first away win this season with a 2-0 victory over St Mirren. Marco Paixao gave the Accies a fifth minute lead from six yards and then turned provider, delivering the cross that saw Martin Canning’s deflected shot make it 2-0 before half time.

St Johnstone dispatched bottom placed Falkirk 3-1 at McDiarmid Park. Colin Samuel’s second minute strike gave St Johnstone the lead but Falkirk hit back through Carl Finnegan after the break. The Saints regained the lead with a goal from Chris Millar before Murray Davidson capitalised on a blunder from Falkirk keeper Robert Olejnik

A thunderous volley from Ross Forbes gave Motherwell the points at Fir Park in a 1-0 win over Hearts, who also lost striker Christian Nade who was stretchered off with an ankle injury. The Jambos’ misery was compounded by a red card issued to Eggert Jonsson for pulling back Motherwell winger Jim O'Brien just outside the area.

Aberdeen finished a bad tempered game at Easter Road with nine men and almost clung on for a point until Colin Nish’s 88th minute header and Liam Miller’s injury time strike snatched it for Hibs.

Maurice Ross was given his marching orders for a late challenge on Hibs defender Ian Murray that earned him a second yellow card and he was followed down the tunnel by Chris Maguire, who saw red for a similarly late tackle on Kevin McBride.

SFL

Adam Rooney’s hat-trick gave Inverness their first home league victory since April courtesy of a 4-1 win over shell-shocked Morton.

The ex-Stoke City trainee opened the scoring in the 19th minute before netting his second on 42 minutes. Defender Nauris Bulvitis also got in on the act before Rooney notched his third.

Queen of the South moved to the top of the table after their 2-0 victory against Ross County while

previous leaders Dundee were held to a 1-1 draw with Dunfermline Athletic.

Airdrie climbed off the bottom of the table thanks to their 3-1 defeat of Ayr that included two goals from midfielder Alan Trouten While Raith Rovers came from behind against Partick Thistle to win 2-1.

In Division Two, a Nicky Clark goal just before half-time completed a first-half rout for Peterhead as they surprised runaway leaders Stirling with a 3-2 victory.

Cowdenbeath heaped more pressure on Stirling with two goals in the first 15 minutes to seal a 2-1 victory against East Fife.

Brian Carrigan and Stuart Noble scored for Alloa as they ran-out 2-0 victors against Clyde while Dumbarton and Brechin City played out a goalless draw.

Livingston cruised past rock-bottom Montrose 3-0 in Division Three at Links Park as the Lions roared to the top of the table.