MX23RW : Monday, September 24 07:06:30

From Kearney to Kenny... 5 Things to catch the eye in the Scottish Premiership

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Hearts extended their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to five points after a 1-0 victory over Motherwell after Celtic were held by St Mirren on Friday night.

Here are five other things we learned from the weekend's action.

1. Oran Kearney has worked some magic at St Mirren

Anton Ferdinand enjoyed a positive St Mirren debut
Anton Ferdinand enjoyed a positive St Mirren debut (Graham Stuart/PA)

The former Coleraine boss enlisted the help of a magician friend to perform some card tricks and hypnosis fun in the dressing room ahead of his first match in charge. The signing of former West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand also helped as Saints held Celtic to a goalless draw after conceding 12 goals in Alan Stubbs' final four matches in charge.

2. Kenny Miller is still appreciated by the Rangers support

Kenny Miller trudged off to a warm ovation
Kenny Miller trudged off to a warm ovation (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Miller left Rangers for a third time in acrimonious circumstances after being suspended and fined following the post-match analysis of their Hampden defeat by Celtic last season. But he was exonerated by an SPFL tribunal this month and he was afforded a warm ovation as his Dundee team lost 4-0 at Ibrox. Unfortunately for the 38-year-old striker, it took a late red card to provide the platform for his belated farewell.

3. Hearts have staying power

Craig Levein's side passed a serious test thanks to Steven Naismith's goal at Fir Park. Home games against Livingston and St Johnstone give them the chance to extend their perfect start to the season before facing Rangers at Ibrox.

4. Motherwell back-up goalkeeper Mark Gillespie looks solid

The former Carlisle and Walsall player made two good stops and clutched a couple of crosses after struggling with one aerial ball after replacing the injured Trevor Carson. Carson suffered a nasty ankle injury as Uche Ikpeazu charged down his clearance and faces a spell on the sidelines.

5. Livingston can string wins together

Gary Holt enjoyed a third consecutive victory as Livi boss as the play-off winners beat Hamilton 1-0 to join Celtic on 10 points. The West Lothian side have made a better start to life in the top flight than Rangers did following their promotion two years ago.

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Conor Sammon in action for Sheffield United in the FA Cup in January 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Hearts6510112916
2RangersRangers6321156911
3Hibernian6321126611
4Livingston632164211
5Kilmarnock631285310
6Celtic631264210
7Aberdeen62315509
8St Johnstone6222610-48
9Hamilton AcademicalHamilton620468-26
10Motherwell6114610-44
11St Mirren6114312-94
12Dundee6006214-120

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