Scottish Premier League wrap: Celtic slump to loss

Motherwell climbed into second on the Scottish Premier League table with a win over Celtic as Hearts’ troubles deepened with another loss.

Motherwell climbed into second on the Scottish Premier League table with a win over Celtic as Hearts’ troubles deepened with another loss.

At Fir Park, Michael Higdon’s second-half goal proved enough to give Motherwell a 2-1 win over runaway Scottish leaders Celtic on Wednesday.

In a determined performance, Motherwell pressured the visiting Celtic with intent and deservedly took the lead in the 31st minute as Nicky Law’s cross-cum-shot from the right was smashed into the net by Chris Humphrey.

Celtic would not lie down and they levelled the game through Georgios Samaras just after the hour as he nodded home James Forrest’s quality cross.

But 17 minutes from time, Higdon gave Motherwell the lead once again as he was on hand to volley home another classy pass from Law, consigning Celtic to just their fifth league loss this season.

Despite the result, Celtic remain 19 points clear on top of the Scottish table as Motherwell leapfrog Inverness CT into second.

Inverness were held to a 0-0 draw by Dundee United on Wednesday to move one point ahead of fourth-placed Ross County, while St Johnstone were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Dundee as Mark Stewart produced a dramatic 89th-minute equaliser.

Edinburgh’s Easter Road also witnessed a frantic finish as three goals were scored in the last five minutes in Hibernian’s 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock.

Sammy Clingan had given Kilmarnock the lead a minute into the second half with a stunning 25-yard strike but there was more drama to come as Ryan McGivern equalised with five minutes remaining for Hibs.

Parity did not last long as Jude Winchester scored a minute later for Kilmarnock but Leigh Griffiths was on hand to fire home an 88th-minute equaliser to keep Hibs in the top half of the Scottish table.

And lastly, second-last Hearts slumped to their fourth consecutive loss as they were beaten 2-0 by St Mirren through goals to Paul McGowan and Graham Carey.