Camilo Durán, in his preferred position of centre-forward, scored both goals for Celtic in their 2-1 win over Falkirk. The Colombian hit two striker’s goals in the opening 29 minutes and also set up several teammates for chances. Falkirk improved after the break and their ambition was rewarded by Colby Donovan’s own goal in the 72nd minute.
The win continued Celtic’s perfect start to the domestic season, but it was preceded by a display of frustration over the club’s inability to secure Champions League qualification after a four-goal aggregate lead was squandered in Thursday’s 5-1 defeat by LASK. The Celtic ultras mocked the club board’s declaration that they aim to be “world class” in everything they do with banners listing the teams who have beaten Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers in the past 14 years, below one that read “‘world class’ embarrassment”. However, fans got behind the team throughout the afternoon and one chant of “sack the board” emanating from the standing section did not take off around the rest of Celtic Park.
Hearts held firm at the end of a gruelling week to close out an unconvincing 2-1 home win over St Johnstone and climb to second in the table. The Jambos – buoyed by their midweek Conference League playoff triumph away to Rapid Vienna – were good value for their two-goal lead after James Wilson’s early strike was followed by a second that went down as an own goal from the Saints debutant Enes Alic. But the hosts faded after the break and they were left clinging on in the closing stages after Ruari Paton pulled one back for the visitors early in the second half.
Dundee United produced a fine performance in the absence of their manager, Jim Goodwin, as they thrashed Kilmarnock 4-0 at Rugby Park. Goodwin was admitted to hospital on Thursday and the club said on Saturday morning the 44-year-old “continues to deal with an ongoing medical matter”. His players, under the guidance of assistant Lee Sharp, did him proud as three first-half goals helped ease them to a first Premiership victory of the campaign.
United, who had not scored in their previous three games in all competitions, were three up by 41 minutes thanks to Emmanuel Agyei’s opener, Zac Sapsford’s penalty and a Will Ferry beauty. Jesse Randall added a late fourth as Killie conceded for the 13th time in three top-flight matches to remain bottom of the table without a point. On Sunday, Rangers visit Aberdeen in a noon kick-off, three days after their elimination from the Conference League on penalties by Jablonec.
Hibernian, who went out of the same competition against Gent, are at Dundee, while Motherwell, well beaten by Freiburg, travel to St Mirren.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
