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Five things we learned from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action

Five things we learned from this weekend's Scottish Premiership action
© Reuters
Rangers took over top spot as Celtic suffered a rare defeat.

Rangers went top of the Ladbrokes Premiership for the first time this season after a 5-0 victory over Hamilton.

Steven Gerrard's side took full advantage of Celtic's 2-0 defeat at Livingston to go two points clear of the Scottish champions.

Here the PA news agency looks at five other things we learned from the weekend's action.

1. Rangers are showing greater consistency

It took until April last year, when the title was effectively lost, for Steven Gerrard's side to string four league wins together. Their emphatic victory over Hamilton made it 17 goals in four wins since defeat by Celtic, their only slip-up in the league this season.

2. Stephen Robinson knows his stuff

The Motherwell manager claimed on Friday it was only a matter of time before Declan Gallagher was picked for Scotland, reiterating the point 24 hours later after the centre-back strolled through a 2-0 win over St Mirren. The call came sooner than expected, on Sunday evening, after Grant Hanley's withdrawal.

3. Livingston's fairytale is continuing

Livingston's Scott Robinson (left) celebrates scoring their first goal
Livingston's Scott Robinson (left) celebrates scoring their first goal (Graham Stuart/PA)

The West Lothian club looked like their progress had peaked with a 5-0 win over Hearts on December 14 last year. After consecutive promotions, Livi hit the heights of third in their first season back in the top flight but only won three matches after that thrashing of their neighbours. However, Gary Holt and assistant Davie Martindale have rebuilt well and the club are celebrating their first victory over Celtic.

4. St Johnstone still need a penalty-taker

Stevie May followed Scott Tanser as St Johnstone missed from the spot in consecutive matches. The Perth side failed to convert five of their eight penalties last season with Liam Craig (twice), Danny Swanson, Matty Kennedy and the now departed Tony Watt all guilty. May might get another chance after breaking a goal duck that stretched back to Boxing Day 14 minutes after his miss.

5. Craig Levein has lost patience with his players

Craig Levein was unhappy with his team
Craig Levein was unhappy with his team (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The Hearts manager admitted his feelingsΒ  had turned to "anger" after a 1-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock left them without a league win at Tynecastle in six matches. Levein swore on live radio before immediately apologising as he outlined why he could no longer keep encouraging under-performing players.

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General view of McDiarmid Park, home to St Johnstone, from 2015
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool88002061424
2Manchester CityMan City85122791816
3Arsenal84311311215
4Leicester CityLeicester8422147714
5Chelsea84221814414
6Crystal Palace842288014
7Burnley8332119212
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham83321111012
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs83231412211
10Bournemouth83231313011
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves82421111010
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd82339819
13Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd82337709
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton8233810-29
15Aston Villa8224131218
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle8224513-88
17Southampton8215815-77
18Everton8215613-77
19Norwich CityNorwich82061021-116
20Watford8035420-163

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