Scottish Premier League wrap: Sutton shocks Celtic

A brace from striker John Sutton lifted Motherwell to a shock 2-0 Scottish Premier League win over Celtic on Sunday.

The result ended a 17-match unbeaten streak for Celtic, and with second-placed Rangers prevailing 4-0 at home against St Johnstone, they saw their lead at the top of the league cut to five points.

Sutton handed Motherwell the lead in the third minute when he capitalised on a blunder by Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew, who tried to shepherd the ball through to goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

But Sutton nipped in ahead of Forster, rounding the ‘keeper before slotting home a cool finish.

Sutton doubled Motherwell’s lead from the penalty spot four minutes after the interval after Emilio Izaguirre was ruled to have fouled Keith Lasley inside the box.

Celtic poured on the pressure in a bid to salvage something from the game, but on the rare occasions they did carve out clear chances Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph was able to deny the Glasgow side.

In Sunday’s other game, Rangers enjoyed a 4-0 win at Ibrox over St Johnstone, thanks to a double from Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic.

Jelavic opened the scoring after just two minutes when he drilled a shot past Peter Enckelman in the St Johnstone goal, and Kyle Lafferty made it 2-0 just before half-time when he rose well to head home.

Defender Sasa Papac was on the end of a lovely back heel from Jelavic before slotting a neat shot past Enckelman, and Jelavic scored his second in injury time to wrap up a convincing win for the champions.

Rangers’ win moves them within five points of Celtic, and they have two games in hand over their fierce rivals.