Summary

  • Rangers, second, 16 points above Dundee, seventh

  1. Polite ripple of applausepublished at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    HT: Motherwell 0-0 St Johnstone

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at Fir Park

    A polite ripple of applause at Fir Park greets the half-time whistle. Both sets of supporters know this hasn't been great but the home fans will be happy enough that they haven't conceded again, having shipped six in their past two games.

    Neither keeper was overly tested, and there's a distinct lack of quality thus far. However, the effort and application of both sides is clear. It's feisty, it's competitive but it's 0-0 and a goal hasn't really looked likely.

    Better after the break, please.

  2. 'Visitors look most likely'published at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    HT: Livingston 0-1 Hibernian

    Brian McLauchlin
    BBC Scotland at the Tony Macaroni Arena

    The Hibernian goal - against the run of play, it has to be said - certainly shook the home players and other than a speculative effort from Jamie Brandon from distance they have rarely threatened the visitors' defence.

    Indeed, Dylan Vente should have added a second just before the break with Martin Boyle and Elie Youan looking very sharp, it's the visitors who look the more likely to score again.

    Hibernian's Elie Youan and Livingston's Sean KellyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Hibernian's Elie Youan is closed down by Livingston's Sean Kelly

  3. Postpublished at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    HT: Aberdeen 0-1 Hearts

    Tyrone Smith
    BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

    It hasn't been a classic at Pittodrie, but Hearts won't care, they have the crucial lead.

    That goal seemed to spark Aberdeen into life, and they finished the half strongly.

    Barry Robson will be hoping they pick things up on the front foot after the break.

  4. HALF-TIME Rangers 3-1 Dundeepublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Rangers are well on their way to reducing Celtic's lead at the top of the Premiership, but it's been a Jekyll and Hyde performance.

    Amadou Bakayoko's early goal threatened a shock away win, but despite some more shaky moments in defence, the hosts responded with three quick goals - from Cyriel Dessers, a James Tavernier penalty and Abdallah Sima.

    It could have been more, but that late red card for Jose Cifuentes has maybe given the visitors some hope.

    Abdallah Sima scores for Rangers against DundeeImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Abdallah Sima put Rangers 3-1 up

  5. RED CARD Jose Cifuentes (Rangers)published at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Rangers 3-1 Dundee

    Another VAR-prompted decision at Ibrox.

    Rangers' Jose Cifuentes caught Amadou Bakayoko late and was shown a yellow card but, on review, it has been upgraded to a red.

    The hosts are down to 10 players for the second half.

  6. HALF-TIME - Aberdeen 0-1 Heartspublished at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    This hasn't been a great advert for the Premiership given these are of two of the best-resourced clubs in it.

    Hearts have the crucial first goal, with Lawrence Shankland's seventh league goal of the season separating the sides.

    Aberdeen have lost 23 league games in a row in which they've conceded the first goal. Will that run continue?

    Lawrence Shankland heads Hearts in front against AberdeenImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Lawrence Shankland heads Hearts in front

  7. HALF-TIME Livingston 0-1 Hibernianpublished at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Sore one to take for Livingston, who have looked lively for much of the half, but trail to a breakaway Martin Boyle goal.

    The Hibs stalwart's cute finish has the visitors ahead despite not being at their best.

    Martin Boyle scores for Hibernian against LivingstonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Martin Boyle scored his eighth goal of the season

  8. GREAT SAVE!published at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Rangers 3-1 Dundee

    How have Rangers not made it four?

    Cyriel Dessers has a shot deflected in front of goal, Trevor Carson saves superbly from Todd Cantwell, a James Tavernier effort strikes the bar then the goalkeeper saves another effort on the turn from Dessers.

  9. HALF-TIME Motherwell 0-0 St Johnstonepublished at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Neither side have got to grips with the conditions yet, with the goals rarely troubled by either side.

    Motherwell have maybe had the slightly better of it. Dimitar Mitov has actually had to make a few saves but the truth is it's been pretty poor from both sides.

    The final chance of the first half fell to Chris Kane, as he got free at the back post and tried to nod in a Diallang Jaiyesimi cross from close range, but the ball smacks his forehead and goes high and wide.

    Not much to write about at the moment.

    St Johnstone's Chris Kane and Motherwell's Shane BlaneyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    St Johnstone's Chris Kane and Motherwell's Shane Blaney

  10. Postpublished at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Livingston 0-1 Hibernian

    Where has the Livingston defence gone?

    Dylan Vente is afforded the freedom of West Lothian in behind the home defence, but the striker's effort trundles wide. Big opportunity.

  11. HALF-TIME St Mirren 0-0 Ross Countypublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    A goalless half in Paisley despite the hosts' dominance.

    Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw has starred in between the sticks, superbly keeping out a goal-hungry Jonah Ayunga on multiple occasions.

    Derek Adams will certainly want more going forward from his visitors in the second half.

    Ross Laidlaw keeps out Jonah AyungaImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Not for the first time, Ross Laidlaw saves to keep out Jonah Ayunga

  12. Postpublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Motherwell 0-0 St Johnstone

    Shane Blaney lines a free-kick up from 30 yards out. He drills it into the wall.

    The ball comes back to him, he takes a heavy touch and then loses a shoulder charge to Daniel Phillips and concedes a throw-in.

    That about sums it up for Motherwell at the moment.

  13. DISALLOWED GOALpublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Rangers 3-1 Dundee

    Rangers think they have a fourth as Todd Cantwell strolls through the Dundee midfield and fires off the far post.

    However, referee Kevin Clancy awards a foul in the build-up on Malachi Boageng by Cyriel Dessers.

  14. Not pretty at Fir Parkpublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Motherwell 0-0 St Johnstone

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Scotland at Fir Park

    In driving rain and wind it's perhaps not the greatest surprise that this is far from a classic here in Motherwell, where the home side are perhaps overly anxious, so keen are they to end this 12-game winless streak. St Johnstone have tidy players in the middle of the park in Graham Carey and Dan Phillips but even they cannot inject a bit of composure and quality into proceedings. This one needs a goal.

    St Johnstone's Matt Smith and Motherwell's Davor ZdravkovskiImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    St Johnstone's Matt Smith and Motherwell's Davor Zdravkovski

  15. Postpublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Aberdeen 0-1 Hearts

    Tyrone Smith
    BBC Scotland

    Aberdeen have responded reasonably well to going a goal behind. They have been playing more on the front foot and have been getting themselves in to some decent positions, particularly down the left-hand side.

    Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland celebratesImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Lawrence Shankland celebrates his 20th-minute goal

  16. PENALTY APPEALpublished at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Livingston 0-1 Hibernian

    Kurtis Guthrie can't believe he's not been awarded a penalty.

    The striker, who has been a handful all afternoon, goes down in the box after an tangle of legs with Joe Newell.

    Referee not interested and Guthrie is incredulous. Certainly looked clumsy from the Hibs midfielder.

  17. Postpublished at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    St Mirren 0-0 Ross County

    Amy Canavan
    BBC Scotland at SMISA Stadium

    How is this game goalless?

    Well, I can answer my own question. It's because of Ross Laidlaw.

    If Jonah Ayunga doesn't leave with a goal today he'll be well within his rights to be raging.

  18. Postpublished at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    St Mirren 0-0 Ross County

    It's Jonah Ayunga again causing havoc at the SMiSA, this time bursting through into the County box and firing a low drive goalward.

    Another superb stop from Ross Laidlaw keeps the score level!

  19. DISALLOWED GOALpublished at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Rangers 3-1 Dundee

    Dundee think they have one back as Joe Shaughnessy slots the ball into the back of the net.

    However, the whistle had already gone for a foul by striker Amadou Bakayoko on goalkeeper Jack Butland.

  20. goal

    GOAL Airdrieonians 0-1 Dunfermlinepublished at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Josh Edwards

    Josh Edwards' shot has the visitors in front at Excelsior Stadium.

    Dunfermline goalImage source, BBC Sport