Scottish Premiership round-up: Rangers injury blow and Aberdeen misery goes on

Celtic moved clear at the top of the cinch Premiership while there were also wins for Rangers, St Mirren and Hearts.

Livingston’s bus broke down on the way to Dingwall but they claimed a point while there was also a share of the spoils at Rugby Park.

Here are five things we learned from the weekend’s action.

Rangers suffer Euro blow

What a header. Nothing was stopping @DaniloPereira9 finding the back of the net. pic.twitter.com/HKdQjasoKc

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 17, 2023

Danilo was the most expensive of Rangers’ summer signings but his settling-in period will be prolonged.

He suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone when heading the opener in Saturday’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone following a clash of heads that also saw Saints captain Liam Gordon go off.

The injury came before the Europa League opener against Real Betis at Ibrox on Thursday night and Michael Beale will have to come up with another formula in his ever-changing attack.

Aberdeen are the worst this century

Full-time.#StandFree pic.twitter.com/g30jgLiAQS

— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) September 16, 2023

The Dons remain on two points after a 2-0 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle in their fifth game of the season.

It is their worst start to a campaign since Ebbe Skovdahl lost his first seven league games as manager in 1999.

Aberdeen made 13 summer signings but there is little immediate sign of a return on investment.

The Dons have only won two of their last 13 games since Barry Robson was named permanent manager last season.

No stopping St Mirren

Technique @ScottTanser17 in at the back post to guide home a volley and give us the points.#OurStMirren #COYS pic.twitter.com/08SZEgIHZx

— St Mirren FC (@saintmirrenfc) September 17, 2023

The unbeaten Buddies moved second as Scott Tanser’s cushioned volley proved enough to inflict Motherwell’s first league defeat of the season.

It completed an early-season double over the Lanarkshire side, who crashed out of the Viaplay Cup in Paisley.

Stephen Robinson’s side are unbeaten since the first game of the season, a Viaplay Cup defeat at Montrose.

Mixed feelings for new Hibs head coach

The gaffer on yesterday’s game

Read more: https://t.co/YfU5nRboaR pic.twitter.com/AxWbMkfkS5

— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) September 17, 2023

Nick Montgomery was happy with some of his side’s football and no doubt delighted to see them take a two-goal lead at Kilmarnock when Dylan Vente added to a Will Dennis own goal on the hour mark.

But signs of the inconsistency which dogged Montgomery’s predecessor, Lee Johnson, were soon evident as goals from Kyle Vassell and Joe Wright earned Killie a point and denied the new man a debut win.

Celtic introduce some new boys

Congratulations to our #CelticFC debutants! #CELDUN | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/jV1l6WXLbD

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 16, 2023

Nat Phillips was handed a debut from the start as Celtic beat Dundee 3-0, although a minor ankle issue forced him off at half-time.

Three goals early in the second half allowed manager Brendan Rodgers to give some players a rest and he introduced Luis Palma and Paulo Bernardo to the Parkhead faithful while handing Reo Hatate a comeback from injury.