Celebrations for Neil Lennon on his first game back as Celtic boss
Celebrations for Neil Lennon on his first game back as Celtic boss

Ladbrokes Premiership: Neil Lennon wins on Celtic return, Rangers thrash Dundee


Neil Lennon began his second stint as Celtic boss with a dramatic last-gasp 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Hearts at Tynecastle.

The former Hoops captain and manager, back in charge until the end of the season following the shock departure of Brendan Rodgers for Leicester on Tuesday, watched winger James Forrest open the scoring in the 36th minute with a swift counter-attack goal.

Jambos defender Jamie Brandon was shown a straight red by referee Steven McLean just before the break for his robust challenge on Parkhead right-back Jeremy Toljan but the home side levelled in the 56th minute with a penalty from half-time substitute Oliver Bozanic.

The 10-man home side battled through the second half to hold off intense Celtic pressure only to succumb to an added-time winner by substitute Odsonne Edouard to keep them eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the table.

Dundee were made to regret sanctioning Glen Kamara's early move to Ibrox as the midfielder sent Rangers on their way to a 4-0 win over his old side.

Kamara was due to make his Rangers switch this summer after signing a pre-contract - only for Dens boss Jim McIntyre to decide it was best he moved in January.

The 23-year-old has been a revelation for Steven Gerrard's team since breaking into the Light Blues line-up against St Johnstone 10 days ago.

And he opened his Rangers account four minutes in as he punished his former employers.

It was game over inside eight minutes when James Tavernier grabbed the second, while Alfredo Morelos struck his 28th goal of the campaign midway through the first half.

Jermain Defoe's late strike means Gerrard's men have now struck 14 goals in their last three games but they remain eight points behind Celtic after the champions.

Hamilton bounced back from Sunday's home humiliation against Rangers and boosted their survival prospects with a 2-0 win at Aberdeen.

George Oakley fired the opening goal for the visitors in the 34th minute and Mikel Miller completed a surprise win just before the hour mark.

Marc McNulty scored twice as 10-man Hibernian made it three Premiership wins in a row with a 2-1 win at ailing St Johnstone.

The home side, who went into the game on a run of six league games without a win, must have hoped for better after Christopher Kane gave them a 15th-minute lead.

McNulty levelled from the penalty spot after a foul by Liam Craig, but Hibs' hopes were hit by the 68th-minute dismissal of Vykintas Slivka for a second bookable offence.

Despite their numerical disadvantage the visitors grabbed the points in dramatic fashion six minutes from time when McNulty fired home his second from outside the box.

Kilmarnock's game against Motherwell was abandoned moments into the second half due to fog.

After a goalless first period visibility deteriorated during the interval and referee John Beaton was left with little option but to call the contest off.

Labrokes Premiership results

  • Aberdeen 0-2 Hamilton
  • Hearts 1-2 Celtic
  • Kilmarnock 0-0 Motherwell (Postponed due to fog)
  • Rangers 4-0 Dundee FC
  • St Johnstone 1-2 Hibernian

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