Scottish Premiership fan views: 'Rangers' statement of intent; Celtic's pivotal comeback'

It was another significant weekend at the top and bottom of the Scottish Premiership - and a fair few pointers in the middle too.

New leaders Rangers emphasised their title credentials by blowing away third-placed Heart of Midlothian, Celtic showed they will not relinquish the silverware easily with a comeback win away to Motherwell, while Ross County opened a significant gap at the bottom by edging Livingston.

Here's a selection of comments from the respective fans:

Old Firm going head-to-head

Rangers were expected to be given a severe test by in-form Hearts, but the supporters left Ibrox with a fresh skip in their step after an emphatic 5-0 win they hoped would heap pressure on their city rivals the following day.

Matthew: Five-star performance! Blew away a lacklustre Hearts who have been making good progress recently. Whoever starts and comes on knows what job to do and they are playing for the shirt on their back.

Stewart: This is a proper Rangers team. Hearts are no mugs and they made them look like it. Injuries and team rotation isn't affecting them. They look so strong in all departments.

Dougie: Jeez oh! Was honestly expecting a tight 2-1 victory for Rangers as Hearts playing well going into the game. But Rangers blew the doors open and never let go of dominance. As a whole team, they played superbly. Jack Butland could have got out his deckchair. Tom Lawrence and John Lundstram were the engine that kept it all ticking over nicely.

Darran: The Rangers board have nailed it by appointing Mr Clement. The difference in the team from two months ago is there for all to see and I would confidently back us to beat anyone. There is such a belief and confidence about this team just now and I can't see anyone domestically stopping us.

Gary: Stunning performance and a real statement of intent. Philippe Clement has created a fantastic environment and attitude at Ibrox. Feel really positive for the first time in a long time. We know Brendan Rodgers has the ability to bottle it. Celtic are not used to this kind of pressure. Let's do this!

Elaine: Wow. Just wow. Even the most optimistic fans amongst us didn't see this one coming. Fantastic performance and sends out a strong message to everyone else.

Russell: Simply immense! From start until finish, Rangers looked excellent to a man. Tom Lawrence showed quality, Cyriel Dessers showed determination and Ridvan Yilmaz just looked classy. The January signings showed their quality. Things are looking good.

Motherwell gave Celtic a fright by taking the lead at Fir Park, but Brendan Rodgers' side responded after the break and grabbed the points necessary to end the weekend two behind Rangers again thanks to two stoppage-time goals. A display that has split their fan base.

Jason: Big three points and Adam Idah - what a super sub performance. Hopefully this can kick-start our season for a big title challenge.

John: Two halves, night and day. Massive improvement from Celtic in the second half, Adam Idah and Yang Hyun-jun the difference. Cameron Carter-Vickers coming on gives everyone else a huge confidence boost. Anyone thinking we will just roll over and hand the league to Rangers need to think again. Glasgow derbies will decide where the league title goes this season. Bring it on.

Danny: A win is a win. But we cannot keep just playing half a game, at best. The game at Ibrox in early April is pivotal for the title and the manager I believe.

Grant: Two late goals and a 45-minute performance doesn't rescue the season. Only a double will do. Defence is nothing without Cameron Carter-Vickers. He has to stay fit for the rest of the season or we're done for.

Peter: Will take the three points. Need to get Liel Abada back in the team. Little or no threat up front. Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn contributing very little. No idea what has happened to Kyogo. We really need him back to his brilliant best. He is, with Abada, the only player that can create havoc for the opposition.

Paul: Getting players back, good second half, team spirit shown - the types of games that win championships. Rangers shouldn't be counting their chickens. If Celtic win ugly, it doesn't matter. Still feel we will win the league again, but the board needs to back the manager for quality signings in the next transfer window.

Patrick: Ange Postecoglou's mantra was "we never stop", but now we're keeping the ball in the corner to avoid conceding in the last minutes, yet according to Brendan Rodgers "the system hasn't changed one iota". Either the players aren't delivering or his message isn't clear. But I guess the win is all that matters now.

Robin: The Kyogo Furuhashi goal machine is now a shadow of his former self. Important three points, but huffing and puffing doesn't always blow the house down.

Tom: The team need to realise it's a 90-minute game, not 45. Got away with one, but I was happy with the second-half performance. Yang Hyun-jun is looking more confident, Daizen Maeda was missing chances galore, Adam Idah is looking like a good addition to the squad. Need Cameron Carter-Vickers back starting as soon as possible - the back four are just too shaky without him.

Can Hearts and Well move on from painful losses?

So what of the Old Firm's two victims? Hearts fans were as unhappy with their team's performance as they were about the defeat by Rangers.

David: After doing so well of late and an intention to get a result at Ibrox then the total capitulation is hard to explain. Whilst it is never going to be easy to compete with the resources of the Old Firm, the nature of the defeat is very concerning. Players' confidence needs to be lifted and a positive result in Wednesday's derby is a must.

Anon: You have to question the mentality of the Hearts players. Kye Rowles just doesn't seem to be a player able to cope with pressure or "big games". I'd be very surprised if Craig Gordon isn't brought back in next week as Zander Clark should be doing better for a few of the Rangers goals. The team was lacklustre and the players didn't seem up for the fight.

Ali: In fairness, we went to Ibrox intent on winning the game, unlike other teams who go and park the bus, and we paid the price for that. Having said that, to lose an early goal through poor defending allowed them to grow in confidence and totally destroy us.

Alan: The good run was always going to come to an end and most Jambos can live with that happening at Ibrox, where we came up against a highly motivated team with better players. That said, I didn't expect Hearts to take the beating we did. It's all about what we do next and horsing Hibs on our turf would be the perfect antidote.

Ian F: Fans around my age (63) won't be surprised by this performance - we've seen it before. Losing to Rangers is one thing, but to put in such an awful performance is unacceptable. Team selection is down to the manager. How Kenneth Vargas gets in ahead of Alan Forrest is baffling. Despite the winning run, no win against Hibs and the calls for the manager to go will return.

Ian M: We seemed to think we were beat before the game started. Defending was shambolic and could not pass the ball. Very disappointing considering the last few games. Maybe a wake up call we needed.

Motherwell fans were also split about their side's Jekyll and Hyde performance in their late capitulation to Celtic.

James: The manager can only be looked at for starting XI, tactics and substitutions. After a tremendous first half, the team sat back, let Celtic have the ball and weren't able to keep possession. That is down to the players.

Colin: Firstly, why is Oli Shaw back. He's not good enough. Play a youngster like Mark Ferrie instead. Played well for 60 minutes then negative substitutions, inviting Celtic on to us - why? Our defence is the weakest point of the team and the inevitable happened.

Kevin: If Stuart Kettlewell hadn't taken off Georgie Gent and Adam Devine, we would have got a point. Simple as that. He was to blame, not the players.

Andrew: What a managerial masterclass in tactical ineptitude once again. How you can't close a game out and take a point defies belief. Three points in the Livingston game is a must considering there will be zero points at Ibrox. We can only hope for an investor to take over and clear the place, starting at the top.

Grant: I really thought we were unlucky not to take anything from the game. If we had taken our chances in the first half, we could have went in two or three up, but after giving everything, we ran out of steam at the end. Busy midweek fixture list and being short on players doesn't help.

DJ: Good first half, pushed back second half, but deserved a draw. I was pleased with the performance.

James: Must be getting near a world record - two wins in 23 games and the manager is still in the job. Do the decent thing, Stuart Kettlewell, and resign.

Ally: The result doesn't tell the full story. What a difference in attitude and effort since two months ago. Papers saying Celtic did not play well, but it was the Well who made them look a very ordinary team. We are a good team at the moment. If we could just get a 6ft 5in central defender.

David: Another week, another basic cross we could not defend. Stuart Kettlewell says they work on the situation in training. Well, it was the replica of the first goal at Tynecastle. Until we can do that basic defending, we will not go anywhere.

Contrasting emotions for McInnes' past and present

Kilmarnock fans are enjoying life at the moment after Derek McInnes steered his side to a comfortable 2-0 win over his former club, Aberdeen, to consolidate fourth place.

Scott: Killie in total control from start to finish. Derek McInnes deserves all the plaudits and our board have backed him. We've got strength in reserve, there's no weak link. Looking forward to Wednesday to really test ourselves against the league leaders. Bring it on!

Jimmy: I'm 80-years-old and have been a supporter for the better part of 60 years. I can't thank the board, the management and the players enough for bringing me so much happiness and pride in my old age.

In contrast, Aberdeen's support is not impressed so far with their team under interim manager Neil Warnock.

Marti: Season ticket will be handed back on Monday. Absolutely fed up of the performances now. We don't deserve this and can only take so much. Spent far too much following this lot for pretty much no return.

Fred: Such a poor performance - no drive, no energy and no fight. Our rebuild produced a defence that cannot defend, a midfield with no creativity and forwards who either don't play or cannot score. A new manager should be brought in now so the inevitable clearout and rebuild can be worked on. Top six? I very much doubt it. New direction needed.

Karen: Said before the Neil Warnock appointment that he wasn't the man for the job short or long term. The chairman and board have made the club a laughing stock. As a 32-year season ticket holder, I won't return until there is root and branch changes to the structure of the club.

Andy: So Neil Warnock reckoned the Dons would be the underdogs - he certainly wasn't joking there. I watched the game and there was a country mile between the sides. If I was Dave Cormack, once this sorry season is over, I'd be going cap in hand to Derek McInnes.

Niall: Another toothless display in Ayrshire, where we used to be so dominant. This Dons side will begin running out of games to expect anything beyond a top six place. A total rebuild needed from the back. Far too weak in defence, not enough cohesion and creativity in midfield and total reliance on one in-form striker. Standards have slipped so far this season.

Alison: Same rubbish, different game. Watching Aberdeen just now really is eye-bleeding stuff. The amazing travelling fans let down once again. Bottom six beckons.

Jimibub: This is the exact same as under Barry Robson. Where is the difference? Nothing. Barry clearly was not the problem. Tenth will be a successful season at this point.

Anon: Clear to see team has given up. No fight, leaders or desire to dig in. One last meaningful game in Scottish Cup. If they can't be bothered turning up for that then they are as well turning lights off at Pittodrie until next season. Shambles.

Wins have Hibs and Buddies eyeing top six

Dundee fans are getting a bit concerned about their side's ability to stay in the top six after their 2-1 defeat by Hibernian in Leith.

Boab: I was at the game and thought Dundee were second best all over the park - could have stole a point.

Brian: Joe Shaughnessy looks tired and needs rested. Curtis Main, Amadou Bakayoko and Zach Robinson are all awful.

Hibs' fans feelings have been on a bit of rollercoaster recently, but they were more up than down after a win that lifts them to within two points of Saturday's visitors.

Colin: Hibs played very well and dominated the game. Missed chances and great goalkeeping kept the score down. Then we switch off and let a goal in. If we could be more clinical and tighten up at the back, a top-six place would be guaranteed.

Kenny: It's a win. I would like to be more positive, but it was a poor game. We play some good stuff at times, but our defending simply isn't good enough. The manager needs to change the style of play as watching Hibs these days is grim. We have no chance making Europe. I still can't work out what Nick Montgomery is trying to do with the team.

William: Made hard work of it. However, got there in the end. Three points, which were badly needed. Derby next going to be tough. We are so fragile at the back and need to score at least two to win a game.

Ian: I thought I saw the beginnings of a great team. Looking good for the future.

John: Decent performance and signs of new players starting to adapt to Scottish football. Good to see Rocky Bushiri back and putting in a solid performance.

Sandy: The most necessary win in the remaining fixtures before the split. We have a shout now for top six and it starts with beating Hearts on Wednesday. The team played well and looked a real threat. If we make the top six, we can pick off the teams above us to clinch a European slot. I'm the eternal optimist.

Darren: At last we've really started to see something from the players that we can build on. There were some really good individual performances, but as a whole we're starting to look like a side that can really start motoring up the league. Delighted for the manager.

St Mirren are pleasing their fans after a win over St Johnstone that makes them look even safer in fifth spot.

Ian: I have been an ardent fan of the Buddies longer than I can remember, getting "lifted over" at Love Street when Doug Millward was manager! Ups and down, disappointments and a few successes along the way. Stephen Robinson and his backroom staff have worked wonders on a limited budget. Well done to all at St Mirren.

James: Very professional performance from back to front. Always in control of the game. On to Dingwall for more!

St Johnstone supporters, though, are concerned about their side being pulled into the relegation battle.

Ryan: Rubbish. Utter rubbish. Week after week, the same basic mistakes. Craig Levein is the only one to blame for that result, but something is very, very rotten at St Johnstone ever since the double.

Ally: Craig Levein always laments the team's poor decision making, as he does not take the training personally. He should look closer to home for the cure. Absolutely poor tactics and team selections leave a lot to be desired. His only achievement as a manager was to get Hearts relegated. Looks like he is going to do the same for Saints.

Anon: It's bad enough when you set out a team not to win, but when you keep on losing playing shocking football, it's game over before you start.

Sandy: Can't understand why Stevie May is not getting a chance, but as there is no midfield control or attacking play from midfield, forwards are never going to influence games anyway.

Has County win doomed Livi?

As usual, the paucity of responses from the Premiership's bottom two reflects their lowly league position and fan base, but it was Ross County's that was the more positive of the anonymous callers after their late strike secured a 3-2 win in Dingwall.

Anon: Each game is a cup final... simple. Magic result.

Livingston, meanwhile, were left to lament a brave but failed comeback from 2-0 down.

Anon: Performances have improved. Fans are fickle and we've had a dig at Davie Martindale and the squad, but look at what they've done as a club with a next to nothing budget. Effort needs to be applauded. Fans need to turn up and support the manager and team.