Premiership (Scotland)

The Jam Tarts moved up to third in the table after a calamitous error by Will Dennis saw the Killie keeper spill Lawrence Shankland’s shot into his own net after 18 minutes.

The hosts enjoyed the bulk of possession as they searched for an equaliser, but a combination of their lack of cutting edge and some resolute defending from Naismith’s side would see them shut out.

“The four wins is good, I know (it was our first) three consecutive in two years, this is five years,” said Naismith.

“If I’m honest, for a club like Hearts and a few other clubs will say the same – it should be normal that you go on a run like that, it shouldn’t take five years.

“The conditions today, the pitch, it is what it is – you need to play a different way and we did it.

“On the AstroTurf pitches, every game is close because you know both teams are going to get a chance, whether that be the bounce of the ball, a slip, whatever – you are going to give up chances.

“I thought we defended really well, we probably gave them one good chance where it could have been a goal. The others, they had a header late on but our positions were really good.”

The Hearts boss remains hopeful he will not be without the services of Liam Boyce for an extended period of time after the striker limped off just before the half-hour mark.

Boyce missed the vast majority of last season with a torn cruciate ligament, though Naismith is hopeful for good news in the next few days.

“I’ve not checked since we came in, but he seemed fine,” he added.

“When he came off he mentioned that he felt something in his leg – it wasn’t as if he knew what it was. Whether that’s a nerve issue or a muscle issue, we’ll see in the coming days.”

Derek McInnes was disappointed after suffering defeat in his 700th game in management.

Killie were punished for being wasteful in front of goal and as a result suffered their first home loss in six league fixtures as well as dropping out the top six.

“I thought the result was really harsh on my team,” boss McInnes said.

“It was such an unusual goal to lose and was obviously a setback for us being at home.

“It wasn’t without its challenges, I thought the pitch was difficult for both sets of players – it was probably bordering on unplayable, it was really icy towards the second half in particular.

“I thought we were the better team but you don’t always get what you deserve, Hearts I think had one shot on target and go away with the points.”

The Kilmarnock manager refused to blame the loss on Dennis, despite the keeper’s glaring error for the Hearts goal.

Dennis has enjoyed a positive start to life at Rugby Park since joining in the summer, though had an afternoon to forget after spilling the ball into his own net and picking up a booking for a rash challenge on Yutaro Oda.

“It’s not a goal you would expect any goalkeeper to lose,” he added.

“He’s lost a goal at Dens Park where he comes through bodies and doesn’t take charge of it – but other than that he’s been absolutely fine.

“He’s been good, it’s a learning curve for him. It’s disappointing he’s lost that but we’ve had enough chances – we don’t lose the game because of Will Dennis and we need to make that clear.”

Innes Cameron’s goal early in the second half proved decisive and the hosts could have extended their lead, while Well failed to create many chances of note.

Motherwell took 10 points from the first four matches but they have taken only one point since as they have slid down to eighth in the league.

Kettlewell said: “It’s always frustrating to lose any game but I understand that’s the job and everyone points to the fact that we’ve got one point in seven games.

“It’s not good enough for a club like Motherwell. I understand that, I get that and I harbour that blame and that frustration and the anger that will undoubtedly come off the back of that.

“We’re working incredibly hard to try and turn that corner. We’re trying to come up with different solutions. We’re trying to tweak and change things where we possibly can.

“I can assure you that we’re putting in the hours to see if we can try and rectify that.

“I’ve just said to the guys there – I’m not questioning anybody’s application. I’m not questioning that anybody’s not putting their body on the line.

“Potentially we have what looks like two broken noses and a fractured cheekbone from three guys on the pitch.

“I get the nature of the job, I get people’s frustrations, I get people’s anger. I can assure you when I go home tonight I don’t speak to the family and I keep my head down but we’re back in tomorrow with the players.

“I’m never going to shirk that responsibility. It’s what I want to do, it’s what I want to be. I’m quite happy to be the guy who gets shot at when it’s not great but equal to that, there’s been praise for us as a football club in the past eight or nine months and, very simple, you have to take the rough with the smooth.”

Derek McInnes, meanwhile, was full of praise for substitute Cameron, after the striker’s first league goal of the season secured Killie’s third straight home win.

Cameron, who came on in the 16th minute after captain Kyle Vassell suffered a dead leg, rifled home the winner four minutes after half-time after a composed lay off by the impressive David Watson.

McInnes said: “The goal took a bit longer to come than we’d have liked.

“But I don’t think anyone would deny we were the better team and deserved it. I’m really pleased for big Innes (Cameron).

“When Kyle went down, we had a decision to make. I spoke to my staff – one in the stand and two next to me.

“Between the four of us, it was two apiece in terms of going with Innes or Andy Dallas. But I just had a feeling with Innes. He scored a couple of brilliant goals in training on Friday.

“He was great when he came on. He took his goal really well and led the line for us. When he’s like that and in that sort of mood, he’s a real handful.

“He got the goal to get the win for us – and it was no less than we deserved.”

Kevin van Veen scored the game’s opener inside the first three minutes of the game, equalling the club record set by Hugh Ferguson 103 years ago by scoring in a 10th consecutive top-flight game.

A late Andrew Shinnie equaliser rescued a point for the hosts, who had their goalkeeper Shamal George sent off in the first half.

Boss Kettlewell said: “I thought we did more than enough in the first half, I thought we were the dominant team when it was 11v11.

“I felt we got stuck down one side in every attack we made in the second half and that’s disappointing.

“Without trying to be too happy in a situation where I felt we should have got three points and a clean sheet, I just have to kind of focus on the run we’ve been on which has been amazing.

“We were a long way behind Livingston when I took over 13 games ago and we’re still sitting a point ahead of them and still got a chance to get that seventh spot which is an amazing achievement in itself.

“I think in my time and we’ve had a look at this, Rangers are on about 28 points in the 13 games and we sit on 27 points so that maybe speaks for itself.”

Livingston boss David Martindale admitted George’s red card was the correct decision, despite not agreeing with the way it was arrived at.

George’s foul came during a passage of play where Van Veen was offside according to the officials, but the flag was not raised until the phase of play ended.

He said: “I thought it was a red in real time but I don’t like this rule when somebody’s offside and you make the challenge and in the old days, I’m saying the old days but six months ago, the flag goes up and everybody else stops and the ref blows the whistle.

“I think if the boy’s offside – and I know the foul has been made – I’m not so sure the decision should still stand in terms of the foul. Maybe if it was extreme force or excessive force, yeah.”

Martindale was pleased with the way his side improved as the game wore on, saying: “First half we were very, very passive, Motherwell turned it a lot and the front two worked very hard.

“I just thought it was a wee bit of a Jekyll and Hyde performance in terms of first half too passive, making bad decision, not aggressive enough and second half I thought the boys were fantastic.”

The Steelmen conceded early on when Ryan McGowan’s goal was allowed to stand, despite Andy Considine appearing to be in an offside position.

Well boss Kettlewell admitted he had yet to watch the Saints goal back but said Steven needed to “manage the game better than it was in stages today”.

“What’s concerning me is what is happening during the 90 minutes of play,” Kettlewell said.

“I just feel like we’re continuously getting players booked in scenarios where you see it happening with the opposition but it doesn’t seem to be penalised in the exact same fashion.

“There’s a spell in that first half and everyone can hear the discontent towards the officials – there’s a reason for that.

“I’ve had the same conversation about the same referee earlier in the season in a game against Aberdeen.

“Decisions have to be better. It’s not a personal attack, you have to be able to manage the game better than it was in stages today.

“I’ll reference an incident in the game that I have seen back where Harry Paton is elbowed in the face and the referee plays on.

“We keep talking about trying to make the game better. If we don’t start to protect players with these head injuries then I’m lost for words with where we go next.

“I’m not saying players are going in with the intent, but we seem to just bypass this and start to focus on VAR, offside decisions and all the rest of it. We need to get that bit right before we do anything else.”

Kettlewell was disappointed that his team were unable to find a spark in front of goal to claim a priceless victory over their relegation rivals.

Theo Bair nodded Well level just before the half-hour mark, but they passed up numerous opportunities to complete the turnaround as the game went on.

“There’s disappointment there, I think that anyone watching would say we were the better side,” Kettlewell added.

“We took a bit of a blow conceding a really poor goal. It’s scrappy, the ball is loose and it gets bundled over the line.

“I thought our reaction was excellent, we enjoyed a bit of the ball and had a bit of patience.”

Craig Levein was keen to move on after a below-par showing from his St Johnstone side.

The hosts played out their second 1-1 draw in four days to remain in 10th place, although they have moved three points clear of the relegation play-off place.

“We got off to a good start. Funnily enough Motherwell started better than us before we scored – the goal was a little bit against the run of play I felt,” Levein said.

“Motherwell were the better team early on until we changed the shape a little bit and went to a back four.

“There’s not a lot to talk about in all honesty, it wasn’t great. We worked hard, fought our corner, didn’t play very well and got a point – let’s move on.”

Bair netted his fifth goal in his last five Premiership appearances to earn the Steelmen a throughly deserved share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock.

Much of the pre-match chat surrounded Van Veen making his return to Fir Park in the blue and white of Killie.

The Dutchman, who netted 29 times last season for Well, began the game as a substitute.

“Everybody knows the relationship Kevin van Veen has with the football club and the ridiculous numbers he posted last season,” said Kettlewell.

“There is disappointment but I think it just shows where things are – that performance today probably tells everybody that I undoubtedly wanted to bring Kevin van Veen to this football club.

“We were blown out the water by the likes of Kilmarnock and I believe St Mirren were involved in that as well – that’s not for me to try make anybody feel sorry, that’s simply a scenario that was dealt in front of us.

“Our guy that led the line for us was pretty decent himself. Big Theo is getting better and better and he is my player, Kevin is not – I’ll continue to focus on him.”

The January transfer window was to be a frustrating one for Motherwell, and in the end, their attempts to bolster their striking options proved to be futile.

Mika Biereth and Conor Wilkinson both headed for the Fir Park exit door, leaving Bair as the club’s only fit senior striker.

Kettlewell will now assess the free transfer options available to him, as he looks to steer his 10th-placed side clear of the relegation zone.

“We’ll analyse that and see if there’s a situation that could help our group and strengthen our group,” he added.

“As it sits just now, there’s nothing to tell – we’re always trying be pro-active contrary to sometimes what people think.

“We’re always looking to see if we can bring in anybody that improves our squad, if the answer to that is no then fine.

“Whether that comes down to money, whether that comes down to willingness to play at this football club – the one thing I’ll say to you is that every single player that is sat there as part of my group moving forward wants to be here and play here.”

Derek McInnes admits it will take time for his new signings to be fully match fit, though he is sure they have the ability to make the difference as Killie push for a European place.

Van Veen and Greg Stewart both came off the bench as Killie were pegged back to draw, having led through Lewis Mayo’s volley.

“These boys aren’t quite up to speed, we have to be realistic and understanding of that,” he said.

“Kevin hasn’t played, he told me November but I think it was actually October.

“He’s been training a lot on his own, being fit and being game fit is different.

“Our biggest strength this season has been the collective – it’s about the team but the individuals can be the difference and the ones to turn tight games.”

The Canada international coolly knocked in his fifth goal in his last four league appearances to cancel out Lewis Mayo’s sensational volley.

The Steelmen had the bulk of the opportunities in the second half, though for the second week running they lacked a vital cutting-edge to take all three points.

In drawing their third successive Premiership encounter, Motherwell slipped to 10th in the table, while Killie remain fourth.

Much of the pre-match chat surrounded Kevin van Veen making his return to Fir Park in the blue and white of Kilmarnock.

The Dutchman, who netted 29 times last season for Well, began the game as a substitute.

Will Dennis returned between the sticks for Derek McInnes’ men, while Thomas Davies replaced the suspended Corrie Ndaba and Liam Polworth was preferred to Rory McKenzie.

Stuart Kettlewell named an unchanged side, although there were spots on the bench for new signings Adam Devine, Jili Buyabu and Jack Vale – while Dan Casey made the squad for the first time in almost two months.

David Watson had a close escape in the opening minutes when he headed Blair Spittal’s corner narrowly past his own post.

The visitors had made a sluggish start, but would burst into life as they broke the deadlock after 13 minutes in stunning fashion.

Danny Armstrong’s corner was eventually headed to the edge of the box where Mayo lashed a sublime volley low beyond Liam Kelly. The home players claimed a foul on Davor Zdravkovski in the lead-up but VAR disagreed.

Spittal had an effort gathered at the second time of asking and he then sliced over after meeting Bevis Mugabi’s knock-down as Motherwell sought a quick response.

The equaliser arrived seven minutes before the break – Spittal found Bair with an inch-perfect pass and the striker coolly converted.

Motherwell made the brighter start after half-time as Andy Halliday brought a good stop from Dennis.

Gent’s headed clearance from Matty Kennedy’s set-piece looped into the air and past the onrushing Kelly before bouncing inches over.

The game was swinging from end-to-end as Paton skewed wide for Well, then at the other end it took a vital intervention from Mugabi to turn behind Marley Watkins’ tantalising delivery.

Paton flashed a shot across the face of goal and Bair then glanced wide of the target as the home side continued to threaten.

There were appeals for a penalty when Spittal hit the deck under pressure from Stuart Findlay, though referee Don Robertson waved play on before booking both players for a tussle in the aftermath.

Van Veen was introduced for the final five minutes as Kilmarnock made a late triple switch, though they had their keeper to thank yet again when he turned Gent’s shot around the post.

Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski’s so-called double-hit penalty against St Mirren and two incidents that went against Dundee were flagged up as mistakes by the panel.

The IRP claimed a red card handed to Dundee midfielder Josh Mulligan and the Tayside club’s disallowed goal against Livingston were errors.

There have been 407 VAR checks since the start of the season, 24 of which led to on-field reviews.

The IRP was set up by the governing body ahead of the start of the season, the first full campaign with the video technology in place.

The panel of former players, managers and coaches is guided by experts on the Laws of the Game and gives an analysis of interventions and non-interventions from VAR.

The 12 Premiership clubs held a meeting with the Scottish FA’s referees department on Thursday to review the performance of VAR during the opening round of fixtures.

Audio of conversations between match officials and the VAR control room was relayed to the club representatives and explanations were given over how some key match incidents were dealt with.

Miovski’s spot-kick equaliser in the 10th minute of stoppage time in Paisley on August 27 prevented St Mirren from going top of the league.

There was a VAR check after Miovski dispatched the penalty as Saints goalkeeper Zach Hemming claimed the North Macedonia striker had touched the ball twice after slipping while taking the spot-kick, but the goal was given.

Mulligan was sent off for a challenge on Danny Armstrong in Dundee’s 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock on September 23.

Video assistant referee Euan Anderson asked David Munro to review the incident but the referee stuck by his original decision.

Dundee boss Tony Docherty said after the game: “I thought it was never a red card and I said that to the referee.

“Yes, it was a foul and a booking. It’s about consistency – if that’s the decision for that tackle then there should have been seven or eight red cards.”

Dundee subsequently failed to overturn the red card following an appeal.

The IRP also felt Dundee were on the receiving end of an injustice when Amadou Bakayoko had a goal disallowed in a 2-0 win at Livingston on October 28.

Referee Willie Collum ruled the goal out after reviewing footage, deciding at least one offside Dundee player was interfering with play.

The on-loan Burnley player only entered the pitch as a substitute in the 61st minute but that was still enough time to set up Luke McCowan and Zach Robinson either side of a penalty from Livingston forward Tete Yengi.

Amadou Bakayoko opened the scoring in the 19th minute and Mellon wrapped up the scoring with a finish from outside the box late on.

Docherty, whose side are now 13 points clear of basement side Livingston, said: “He was outstanding.

“I’m not surprised either. He played over 28 minutes I think and got two assists and a goal.

“I know what he is. It’s the reason we waited and went to such lengths to get him.

“It’s great credit to the relationship the board have with Burnley.

“He had so many suitors and you could see why.

“For Luke McCowan’s goal, there is a real calmness. For Zach Robinson’s goal, he chases a lost cause and gets an assist and then his goal was outstanding.

“Really pleased but not surprised.

“I know what he’ll bring to the team.”

Dundee also had to overcome the loss of McCowan to a second yellow card in the 74th minute when they were leading 2-0.

McCowan later apologised to Docherty for his cynical trip on Yengi that led to his dismissal but Docherty was thrilled with how his team responded after throwing away a two-goal lead in the defeat to Hearts on Tuesday evening.

Docherty added: “I’m absolutely delighted with the team’s resilience, spirit and mentality.

“My team came in for a lot of criticism on Tuesday night at Hearts and questions were asked about the mentality of the team.

“I thought my players answered that in spades today.

“The resilience of the group was there for all to see.”

Livingston – without a victory in 14 league games – remain six adrift at the basement ahead of Tuesday’s crucial bottom of the table clash with Ross County.

Manager Davie Martindale said: “We don’t want to speak too much about what goes on in the changing room.

“But, we’ve had these discussions throughout the season – and we don’t seem to be getting any better, if I’m being honest.

“I’ve tried everything over 23 games to lift the group. I’ve tried everything, done everything.

“But as individuals I think we’ve got to look at ourselves.

“Individuals now need to start taking their individual responsibility.

“There’s too many ‘sorrys’…every week there’s a ‘sorry’.”

Nick Montgomery’s Hibs were jeered off by their supporters after the former Falkirk and Liverpool defender scored an 81st-minute winner for the Perth side to take them five points clear of Ross County in the battle to avoid finishing second bottom.

At one point, it looked like Hibs’ hopes of securing a top-six place were over, but Dundee’s late collapse at home to Motherwell means the Leith outfit remain within a point of the Dark Blues and still have a chance of scrambling into the top six.

There was one change for both sides after their respective defeats a week previously, with Hibs attacker Martin Boyle replacing Elie Youan, who dropped to the bench, and Saints defender Andrew Considine taking over from the injured Liam Gordon.

The hosts thought they should have had a penalty in the ninth minute when St Johnstone goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov clattered into Emiliano Marcondes as he tried to punch a high ball clear after Myziane Maolida’s shot from outside the box had deflected up into the air, but play was waved on.

Three minutes later, Joe Newell had a good opportunity after being set up by a cutback from the left by Maolida but the midfielder blazed an angled shot over the bar from 15 yards out with his weaker right foot.

Saints got their first notable sight of goal in the 24th minute when Adama Sidibeh drove at Hibs’ defence and saw a strike from the edge of the box deflect just wide off Marcondes.

The hosts were struggling to generate any rhythm in a strong, swirling wind and Saints – enjoying a more comfortable afternoon than they probably anticipated – threatened again in the 40th minute when Nicky Clark pinged a shot over from outside the box after things opened up nicely for him.

The visitors made the breakthrough in the 48th minute when Matt Smith clipped a well-weighted pass in behind the home defence and Sidibeh raced away from Rocky Bushiri to fire an angled shot beyond the exposed David Marshall.

With their top-six rivals Dundee leading Motherwell at that point, the pressure was on Hibs to summon a response and they did exactly that in the 56th minute when Chris Cadden followed up to ram the ball into the net from 12 yards out after Mitov parried a Maolida shot from the edge of the box into his path.

The hosts had several good chances to get their noses in front, with Cadden and Maolida sending efforts over the bar and Adam Le Fondre and Maolida denied by excellent saves from Mitov.

Hibs were made to pay in the 81st minute when Gallacher pounced on the edge of the six-yard box to hook in a Graham Carey corner.

Doolan’s side beat Queen’s Park 4-3 in the first leg of the cinch Premiership play-off quarter-final on Tuesday and the second leg takes place at Ochilview on Friday night.

A statement on the club’s website read: “All at Partick Thistle FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lawrence Doolan, the father of first-team manager Kris Doolan, this morning.

“We know every Partick Thistle supporter and all connected with the club will join us in sending their love, thoughts and condolences to Kris and his family at this difficult time.”

Doolan’s assistant, Paul McDonald, said in a club video: “Devastated at the news we got regarding the passing of his dad. Condolences from everyone here at the club.”

Thistle have only lost once in 14 games since Doolan took over and also scored four goals against their Glasgow rivals last month in a Championship game, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

McDonald promised the players will approach Friday’s game with their manager’s style of play prominent in their thoughts.

“The message will be, don’t change anything in terms of our attacking style of play,” he said,

“That’s been the manager’s message since he has come in. He has always encouraged the group to look after the ball and to use the ability and the dangers we have within the group.

“They have responded brilliantly to his leadership and the way he wants to play. The players have carried that out fantastically well.

“We won’t be going there to sit in and defend the lead, we will be going there to win the game.”

Queen’s Park manager Owen Coyle believes minimising lapses in concentration will be vital for his team after some painful recent defeats.

The Spiders lost five goals against Dundee in their Championship title decider last Friday.

Looking back at the first leg, Coyle said: “We could have scored two goals in the first five minutes because we started the game better.

“So we know we can score goals, because that’s what we want to do in the long term, we want to play in a way where people think ‘I enjoy watching my team’.

“But in the same way, we need to do better defensively. That’s not just the back four, it’s from the strikers all the way back because it’s very much a collective effort.

“There are certainly things to work on, not a lot of time, but we have shown prior to the last couple of weeks, clean sheet at Hamilton, clean sheet at Ayr, we are capable of doing it.

“It’s just that focus and concentration. They are a young team, there will be lapses, but it’s about minimising those lapses. When we do, we have shown we can win these type of games.”

The home team registered 23 attempts at goal, but poor finishing let them down.

Dylan Vente and Paul Hanlon both had efforts saved in the first half before the likes of Martin Boyle, Elie Youan, Vente and Will Fish wasted good chances in the second period.

The visitors looked dangerous on the counter-attack and went close themselves through Zak Rudden and the impressive Owen Beck after the break.

Both teams contributed to an entertaining start as they showed an appetite to attack.

Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall was called into action after 12 minutes to parry a powerful Rudden header following a teasing cross from Luke McCowan.

There was further panic at the back for the hosts when Fish’s attempted clearance came back off Amadou Bakayoko and flew over the bar from six yards.

But Hibs soon regained their composure before stepping up the pressure at the other end.

Dundee keeper Trevor Carson did well to keep out a Vente header at the back post when it looked like the striker would score.

Hibs captain Hanlon then had an effort saved from close range before glancing a header wide from a Joe Newell free-kick.

Hibs were enjoying aerial dominance inside the area from set-plays and should have done more with their openings.

On the stroke of half-time Carson got down well to a curling Newell free-kick from the corner of the area.

Dundee always looked dangerous on the counter, but it was Hibs who forced the issue in the second half as they created countless chances.

After the home side had heaved a sigh of relief when Rudden curled a shot just wide from inside the area, Hibs increased the pressure.

Boyle had a shot saved inside the box from a good position before Youan had an effort repelled by Carson.

Frenchman Youan then did well to create space inside the area, but Dundee skipper Joe Shaughnessy threw himself in the way of the shot to make a crucial block.

But Hibs kept coming and Carson had to be alert to push out a clever flick from Vente at the near post from a Boyle corner.

Another Boyle corner saw Fish head over, while substitute Christian Doidge headed straight at Carson from a long throw from Lewis Miller.

Dundee could have won it with a stunning counter led by Luke McCowan. The midfielder sped away from Boyle and found substitute Ryan Howley. The midfielder crossed for Beck and the wing-back lashed a fierce volley straight at Marshall.

Boyle then shot wide at the other end from a Youan pass when he should have at least hit the target.

The Hoops have won only two of their last six games in league and cup and have taken just one point from their three matches since securing the cinch Premiership title with victory away to Hearts earlier this month.

Their latest setback came on Wednesday when they lost 4-2 away to Hibernian. McGregor admits Celtic may have “subconsciously” taken their eye off the ball after wrapping up the championship but he is unfazed by the past few results.

“No, you have to put it into context,” said the captain when asked if he was worried.

“If anyone is trying to pick holes in the group for whatever reason, you just have to look at what we did up to winning the title.

“It’s been outstanding, very minimal mistakes and hardly any dropped points.

“There have been massive winning streaks, we’ve shown hunger, desire, everything.

“So of course we are disappointed with the post-split fixtures and results, we haven’t reached that level. But up until becoming champions, we were outstanding, so it’s difficult to be hard on the group.

“Yes, we want to maintain as high a standard as possible but sometimes in football it doesn’t quite work like that.”

Celtic finish their league campaign at home to Aberdeen on Saturday before attempting to seal a domestic treble a week later when they face cinch Championship side Inverness in the Scottish Cup final.

McGregor is adamant his team will be ready for the Hampden showpiece.

“The last few games haven’t been great but I have no doubt, I am full of belief,” he said.

“We have a big game on Saturday and it’s a chance to celebrate the title, and for the supporters to celebrate an unbelievable season in the league.

“We already have a cup in the bag and after Saturday, full focus switches to the final.

“I have no doubt that we will be ready to go for Hampden.

“We have a good track record of coming through the big games and the big moments.

“We have been strong as a group and that gives us the confidence that we will be ready to go for the final.

“We have a real chance to celebrate on Saturday and hopefully that will give everyone a lift.”

Luiyi de Lucas had given the home side the lead two minutes before the end of a scrappy game only for Stav Nahmani to cancel out that advantage deep into stoppage time.

The result left Saints top of the table by a point after four matches and Robinson joked it would be a good time to declare the season over.

He said: “The league’s getting cancelled – all done! We’ve won, that’s it, all over.

“That would be nice wouldn’t it? But it speaks volumes for the start we’ve made. It’s full credit to the players.

“They’ve been fantastic throughout the cup competition and now they’ve taken that into the league form.

“We weren’t at our best today but good teams don’t get beat at venues like Livingston. And we’ve proved we’re a good side.

“It wasn’t pretty on the eye. It wasn’t as fluent as we have been but the character of the boys showed and to get a point was fantastic.

“That was probably what we deserved. I didn’t think we deserved to win to be honest.”

Livi manager David Martindale admitted he thought his team had done enough to win the game before being pegged back.

Asked if he felt the points had been secured after De Lucas’ strike, he replied: “Yes, I’ll be honest with you.

“We’ve got to deal with the ball into our box better but I don’t think Jamie (Brandon) should be giving the ball away there at that point in the game.

“I think everyone and their dog heard me shouting ‘spin it and put it in the corner’ and the game dies at that point.

“But he takes a touch and even the crowd are nervous at that point. He gives away the foul and that leads to an entry into our box and we don’t defend it well enough.

“At that stage of the game St Mirren just flood your box and they get their joy from doing that.”

Livingston lost Andrew Shinnie to a head knock midway through the first half that led to the midfielder being stretchered off.

But Martindale gave a positive update, saying: “He’s OK. He was in the changing room at the end there.

“I thought the medical team dealt with him very well. He walked into the medical room at half-time. He’s a wee bit groggy but he’s OK.”

Miller headed in from close range in a tight first half before Vente made Hibs pressure count after the break with a finish from inside the box.

The win, the first of Montgomery’s reign, lifted Hibs above city rivals Hearts into sixth in the cinch Premiership ahead of Wednesday’s Viaplay Cup quarter-final visit of St Mirren.

It was also a day to remember for Rory Whittaker after the Hibs forward climbed off the bench to become the club’s youngest player at only 16 years and 44 days.

Jair Tavares was handed his first start in 13 month for Hibs after being brought in from the cold by Montgomery.

And the Portuguese forward was part of a dynamic attacking four that caused Saints problems during the early stages.

A neat move saw Will Fish find Vente and the Dutchman’s square pass was struck just wide from a first-time shot by Martin Boyle.

Hibs kept coming and Adam Le Fondre had a comfortable header kept out by Dimitar Mitov from a cross stood up by Joe Newell.

Tavares then got involved in the action himself but a first-time drive from a Lewis Miller pass sailed wide.

Saints looked dangerous on the counter, especially with Hibs pushing their full-backs high, but they lacked the final pass.

Saints midfielder Cameron MacPherson shot wide from outside the area before team-mate Daniel Phillips then fired over from a good position inside the area.

But Hibs broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the break. Newell lifted a curling cross to the back post and Miller’s downward header back across goal beat Mitov.

Hibs should have doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Boyle, who raced on to Fish’s pass down the right flank, cut back for substitute Elie Youan but the Frenchman fired over from 12 yards with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall was then called into action at the other end to keep out an Andrew Considine effort at the back post from a Graham Carey corner.

But Hibs stepped up their intensity and finally put the game to bed in the 69th minute as Vente added a second.

After Mitov got down well to repel a low Youan effort, Le Fondre’s deft flick outside the area set up Vente and the forward buried a low shot past Mitov.

Hibs teenager Whittaker had a chance to mark his debut with a goal but Mitov denied the youngster.

The 49-year-old Belgian was appointed as Michael Beale’s successor last Sunday and he was given a huge ovation from the Light Blues fans before the game in which the Gers began in a more energetic and direct fashion.

Attacker Abdallah Sima sped away in the 17th minute to score in a fifth consecutive game before Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin drilled in a second from distance just before the interval.

Sima added a third in the 65th minute to make it nine for the season and striker Cyriel Dessers got a close-range goal 10 minutes from time.

Although it was far from complete performance from Rangers, the Easter Road side’s six-game unbeaten run – five under Nick Montgomery – was emphatically ended.

Rangers moved four points behind Celtic who play Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday and while title hopes still need nursing, the Gers fans can take encouragement from the performance and win.

There was much interest in Clement’s first team selection but due to injury issues his options were limited.

Winger Scott Wright returned from suspension and midfielder Sam Lammers and Dessers came back in while fit-again Todd Cantwell, Ryan Jack and Danilo started on the bench.

Montgomery drafted in veteran defender Paul Hanlon for his 550th appearance and attacker Adam Le Fondre for what shaped up to be his toughest test so far as Easter Road boss.

There was a new figure in the Rangers technical area but the supporters were still suspicious of the players who had underperformed this season.

From the fans perspective there was an immediate and much-desired increase in tempo with the ball getting moved forward quicker.

Lammers took a defence-splitting pass from skipper James Tavernier in the seventh minute but his shot was blocked for a corner by Hibs defender Will Fish which came to nothing.

The game was already open and at the other end, Gers keeper Jack Butland gathered an angled-drive from Dylan Vente before left-back Borna Barisic picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Ridvan Yilmaz.

A Dessers shot was saved by Hibs keeper David Marshall but he had no chance when Sima combined with Dessers moments later and burst through the middle of the Hibees defence to drive low into the far corner.

In the 27th minute, after a melee in the Hibs penalty area, there was a VAR check for a possible penalty when the ball appeared to strike Joe Newell’s arm before Sima’s shot went past the post but referee Don Robertson was told to play on.

Just before the break, as possession changed hands 25 yards from the Hibs goal, Raskin took matters into his own hands when he thundered a low shot past Marshall.

Rangers kept up the pace in the second half and in the 53rd minute, following another swift Gers break, Dessers stabbed a Wright cut-back into arms of Marshall with Sima waiting by his side to finish.

Moments later, Lammers smashed a shot against the post from eight yards, after Dessers had robbed Hanlon, before Cantwell replaced Wright.

Sima’s goal came when Dessers took a brilliant Lammers pass, rounded Marshall but saw his shot blocked on the line before the Brighton loanee hammered it high into the net.

There was still plenty time remaining and when Cantwell slipped a clever ball into Dessers 10 yards from goal, he side-footed it past the helpless Marshall to complete an invigorating afternoon for anyone of a Light Blue persuasion.

The 25-year-old’s Staggies deal expires at the end of the current campaign and the Jambos have moved quickly to secure his services.

Hearts are exploring the possibility of striking a deal to bring Dhanda to Edinburgh before the transfer window closes this week.

That scenario looks unlikely, however, as the Staggies – currently 11th in the cinch Premiership – are keen to keep hold of their playmaker for the remainder of the season to help them fight against relegation.

County chief executive Steven Ferguson has been quoted in local media in the Highlands as saying it will take “a spectacular offer” to land the former Swansea player this month.

Dhanda, who spent five years in Liverpool’s youth system, joined the Dingwall club from the Swans at the start of last season and has become a key player, scoring eight goals in 62 appearances.

The most recent of those strikes came against Hearts when he curled home a magnificent free-kick in a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle a month ago.

Hearts – who have been linked with a move for Livingston left-back James Penrice – have already signed right-back Dexter Lembikisa on loan for the remainder of the season, while they are still hoping Charlton will sanction a loan deal for midfielder Scott Fraser.

The in-form Jambos are 10 points clear in third place and firmly on course to qualify for Europe in Steven Naismith’s first full season in charge.

The Hoops arrived in Edinburgh knowing a victory would have taken them back to the top of the league after city rivals Rangers suffered a surprise 2-1 loss at home to Motherwell the previous day.

But their hopes of achieving this feat were badly undermined during a dramatic opening quarter of an hour in which their striker Adam Idah had a penalty saved by Zander Clark and then Yang saw red for a dangerous high challenge on Alex Cochrane.

Hearts – who defeated Brendan Rodgers’ side in Glasgow in mid-December – took full advantage of the extra man as Jorge Grant scored a penalty late in the first half before Lawrence Shankland struck his 27th goal of the season on a day when Scotland manager Steve Clarke and assistant John Carver were watching from the Tynecastle stand.

The victory moved the Jambos 13 points clear in third place.

Hearts made four changes to the team that started Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to city rivals Hibernian as Toby Sibbick, Dexter Lembikisa, Grant and Beni Baningime replaced Frankie Kent, Nathaniel Atkinson, Cammy Devlin and Kenneth Vargas.

There was one enforced alteration to the Celtic team that started the 7-1 midweek destruction of Dundee as captain Callum McGregor missed out with an Achilles issue. His place in midfield was taken by Paulo Bernardo.

Hearts made a bright start and they had a good chance in the eighth minute when Shankland’s cross from the right picked out Cochrane just inside the box but the left-wing-back got his shot all wrong and fluffed it well wide.

Then came a couple of huge moments in quick succession in which Celtic allowed the game to swing heavily in the hosts’ favour.

The Hoops were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute when Cochrane was deemed to have fouled Yang but Idah saw his low-struck spot-kick saved by the legs of Clark, another Hearts player looking to impress the Scotland management team in the lead-up to this summer’s European Championships.

Yang and Cochrane were again involved in the next major flashpoint just a few minutes later when the Korean midfielder caught the Englishman in the face with a high foot.

Referee Don Robertson booked the Celtic player initially but then upgraded it to a red card after being advised by VAR John Beaton to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.

This dramatic turn of events roused the home support and left Rodgers’ side facing a huge task in their quest to return to the top of the league.

Despite being a man down, Celtic did have the ball in the net in the 22nd minute when Bernardo’s low angled shot went in off both posts but the flag instantly went up to cut short the celebrations, with Idah offside in the lead-up.

Hearts sensed their chance of victory, however, and Alan Forrest headed over from Lembikisa cross’s in the 27th minute before Shankland was denied by Liam Scales’ brilliant goal-saving challenge.

Another big call went the way of Hearts in the 40th minute when – following a lengthy VAR review – they were awarded a penalty after the ball came down on to the arm of Tomoki Iwata as he rose amid a cluster of bodies to try and head the ball out of his box. Grant kept his cool to send Joe Hart the wrong way.

Hearts thought they had doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time when Shankland drilled home a low angled shot from eight yards out after being fed by a Forrest pass but the goal was eventually ruled out for offside following a lengthy VAR review.

Celtic sent on Kyogo Furuhashi in place of Bernardo for the start of the second half. But the Hoops found themselves two down in the 56th minute when Shankland swept home a clinical low strike from 15 yards out after team-mate Calem Nieuwenhof slipped while lining up a shot and inadvertently knocked the ball back into the striker’s path with the aid of a nick off Celtic left-back Greg Taylor.

The visitors were unable to summon a response and Hearts saw out victory in impressive fashion, sparking jubilant full-time scenes at Tynecastle.

The Dons fell behind to Mark O’Hara’s early drive and survived a scare when the same player missed a penalty six minutes later.

But a close-range strike from Jonah Ayunga and Greg Kiltie’s injury-time spot-kick had the Buddies making the lengthy homeward trip in high spirits, while Robson was left to seethe.

“I’m really angry actually,” he said. “We weren’t good enough all over the pitch and I’ve made sure the players know that. They need to take responsibility for it, and me as well.

“You can’t serve that up. We’re a lot better than that – I don’t think we picked up any second balls in the middle of the pitch, we weren’t good enough in either box, and you get punished.

“The performance surprised me – I didn’t see it coming. There’s no excuse – I am angry and I’m not having that.

“Not every game is going to be perfect – you’ve got to do the basics right. I have to apologise to the fans because that wasn’t good enough. I won’t accept that and I know they won’t accept that.”

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson admits his side have not been scoring enough but was pleased to see them put that right in difficult conditions at Pittodrie, in what was a first away win since September.

He said: “It’s been coming. We’ve had some very good performances but what’s let us down as a collective has been not taking our chances, and we’ve been conceding from set-pieces.

“We were able to improve on both of those today. The general performances have been very good but today we were able to put up a good defensive performance and a clinical performance in attack.”

The hosts took the lead in the first half through Amadou Bakayoko before Daniel Armstrong equalised for Killie, with Dundee midfielder Josh Mulligan sent off before the break.

It looked like Armstrong had secured the win for the visitors when he struck again late on but deep in stoppage time, home substitute Zak Rudden pounced to snatch a draw with Killie boss Derek McInnes also shown a red.

Killie could and should have opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Armstrong perfectly teed up skipper Kyle Vassell but the striker completely fluffed his lines, slicing his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Instead, it was the Dark Blues who broke the deadlock just three minutes later. On-loan Liverpool full-back Owen Beck swung a corner in from the left with Joe Shaughnessy nodding the ball on for Bakayoko to fire home at the back post.

However, Killie equalised on the half-hour mark from the spot. The ball appeared to hit Bakayoko inside the Dundee box and after a VAR handball check, referee David Munro reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor and awarded a penalty.

Armstrong stepped up to take it and although home keeper Trevor Carson dived the right way, he was unable to prevent the ball hitting the back of the net.

The game then threatened to boil over, with Mulligan shown a straight red card after bringing down Armstrong on the touchline.

Again, VAR Euan Anderson asked Munro to review the incident but the referee stuck by his original decision with a disconsolate Mulligan heading down the tunnel.

Then deep in first-half stoppage time, Kennedy came agonisingly close to giving Killie the lead, hitting the post with a header back across goal.

The visitors struggled to capitalise on their one-man advantage after the break with dogged Dundee digging in to protect Carson’s goal.

Chances for both sides were few and far between although Vassell had a sight at goal but his shot flew into the side netting.

However, Dundee’s resistance was finally broken in the 81st minute when Killie sub Andrew Dallas sent a low cross in from the left all the way to Armstrong, who drilled the ball home at the back post.

That seemed to be that but Dundee had the final say in the 94th minute after a Beck corner was headed down by Ricki Lamie for Rudden to gleefully fire into the back of the net, with McInnes then seeing red after coming out of his technical area.