Jack strike edges Rangers closer to title

Glasgow (AFP) – Rangers moved ever closer to ending Celtic’s nine-year reign as Scottish champions thanks to Ryan Jack’s strike to grind out a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Steven Gerrard’s men have failed to hit top form in recent weeks, but still enjoy a 21-point lead over their Glasgow rivals at the top of the table.

Celtic do have two games in hand and face Rangers twice more this season.

But the leaders look in no mood to let their advantage go as they extended their perfect record at Ibrox this season.

Rangers dominated the ball but struggled to create opportunities until Jack broke the deadlock with a powerful volley from the edge of the box.

Without suspended strikers Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe, Rangers failed to build on their lead but held out for a 13th home clean sheet in 14 games.

Elsewhere, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes failed to back up a vote of confidence from the Dons board in an uneventful 0-0 draw at home to St Mirren.

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland scored twice as Dundee United boosted their hopes of a top-six finish with a 3-0 win over Livingston as both sides were reduced to 10 men.

Motherwell also suffered from an early red card shown to Stephen O’Donnell as they were thrashed 4-1 at home by Hamilton in a Lanarkshire derby.

A first win six games lifted Hamilton off the bottom of the table, above Ross County, whose clash with Hibs was called off due to a frozen pitch.