Celtic's draw with Kilmarnock boosts Rangers' title bid

Scottish champions Celtic's hopes of a successful title defence suffered a blow on Saturday when they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock.

Japan star Kyogo Furuhashi's 33rd-minute header looked as if it might give Celtic all three points in front of their Parkhead faithful.

But David Watson's header from a corner secured a share of the spoils for Kilmarnock.

A draw at Celtic Park.#CELKIL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/UwaKo6BWYp

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 17, 2024

The draw took Celtic a point clear of Glasgow arch-rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Rangers can regain first place when they go in search of a sixth successive league win away to St Johnstone on Sunday.

Hearts strengthened their hold on third with a 2-0 win at home to Motherwell secured by second-half goals from Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas.

The Edinburgh side are 14 points clear of fourth-placed Kilmarnock.

Basement club Livingston enjoyed just their third league win of the season, 1-0 over St Mirren after Tete Yengi scored in first-half stoppage time. St Mirren, however, missed a late penalty through Mikael Mandron.

Livingston are within three points of second-bottom Ross County, beaten 2-0 by Dundee on Saturday with Scott Tiffoney scoring both goals.

Veteran English manager Neil Warnock was still looking for his first league win as Aberdeen boss after a 2-2 draw at home to Hibernian.

Hibernian, bidding for a first league win since December 9, went ahead through Martin Boyle in the 13th minute only for Nicky Devlin to equalise shortly afterwards.

Jamie McGrath restored hosts Aberdeen's lead in the 51st minute at Pittodrie but visitors Hibernian hit back 16 minutes later through Emiliano Marcondes.