Scottish Premier League wrap: Celtic maintain gap at the top

Celtic have maintained their two-point lead over Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, with both teams posting 3-0 wins on Monday.

Celtic had few problems on their trip to Dunfermline, with goals from Anthony Stokes, Victor Wanyama and Charlie Mulgrew silencing the crowd at East End Park.

Stokes’ fired Celtic ahead after 18 minutes with a sublime strike from the edge of the 18-yard box that flew into Dunfermline goalkeeper Chris Smith’s top right-hand corner.

Wanyama’s close-range volley made it 2-0 five minutes before the break, and Mulgrew’s sensational free-kick put the icing on the cake after 69 minutes.

Rangers kept up the pressure on their old rivals with a 3-0 win over Motherwell at Ibrox.

Northern Irish striker David Healy gave the Scottish champions the lead in this first league start for the season, and Sone Aluko’s strike 10 minutes into the second half made it 2-0.

An own goal from Stephen Craigan at the 73-minute mark wrapped up a comfortable win for Ally McCoist’s team.

Hearts moved into fourth place with a 3-1 win in the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian at Easter Road.

Ian Black missed a penalty for the visitors just before half-time, but Australian Ryan McGowan spared Black’s blushes when he gave Hearts the lead after 58 minutes.

An own goal from Marius Zaliukas restored parity a minute later, but late goals from Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel saw Hearts claim all three points.

Elsewhere on Monday, goals from Paul Heffernan and Danny Racchi helped Kilmarnock come from behind to defeat St Mirren 2-1 at home, and Aberdeen posted a 2-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s clash with St Johnstone was postponed because of snow on the Caledonian Stadium’s pitch.