Hooper rescues Celtic to preserve streak

Glasgow, Scotland – Motherwell admirably held Celtic 0 win at Parkhead.

Hooper's 16th goal of the season, which he scored in the 59th minute, helped Celtic extend its winning streak in Scottish Premier League play to an astonishing 17 games. The Hoops are also unbeaten in their last 20 league games.

With the win, Neil Lennon's men see their lead atop the Scottish top flight improve to a comfortable 23 points. Celtic's lead would only be 13 points had Rangers not been docked 10 points for entering administration.

Motherwell was in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run, but that streak comes to a halt thanks to one of the hottest clubs out there at the moment. The Steelmen sit third on 48 points and will look to close the gap on second-place Rangers in their next outing when they face lowly Dunfermline on March 3.

Celtic also returns to action on March 3 when it heads to the Pittodrie Stadium to face Aberdeen.

St. Mirren 1, Aberdeen 1

Paisley, Scotland - St. Mirren and Aberdeen scored two minutes apart in the second half to finish their tilt at St. Mirren Park on Saturday at 1-1.

Dutchman Nigel Hasselbaink put the home side in front in the 57th minute, but Aberdeen quickly responded through Scott Vernon to level the score and ultimately earn a point for the visitors.

The two sides leave St. Mirren Park how they came in, separated in the table by just two points. Aberdeen, on 32 points, is unbeaten in eight games while St. Mirren, on 30 points, has drawn four straight.

Dundee United 2, Hearts 0

Edinburgh, Scotland - Dundee United scored late in both halves to claim a 2-0 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle Stadium on Saturday.

Jon Daly opened the scoring just before the break with a goal in the 41st minute and Gavin Gunning sealed the win five minutes from time with his second goal of the Premier League season.

Dundee has won two straight and is unbeaten in its last five games, leaving the Terrors in fifth place on 37 points. Hearts drops to sixth place after losing its second match on the bounce.

Hibernian 3, Kilmarnock 1

Kilmarnock, Scotland - Tom Soares bagged a brace for Hibernian on Saturday to help the club earn a 3-1 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

The English midfielder scored in 17th and 66th minutes while Roy O'Donovan chipped in with a goal in the opening minute of the second half. Dean Shiels provided the lone goal for Killie seven minutes from time.

Hibs entered the match tied with Dunfermline for last place but climb out of the cellar to improve to 22 points. Kilmarnock has lost two straight, sitting eighth on 32 points.

St. Johnstone 3, Dunfermline 1

Perth, Scotland - St. Johnstone handed Dunfermline its second straight loss on Saturday, edging the Scottish Premier League bottom-feeders with a 3-1 win at McDiarmid Park.

Murray Davidson and Callum Davidson scored two minutes apart in the first half to give the Saints a two-goal advantage by halftime. Paul Burns pulled one back for the Pars in the 73rd minute, but Lee Croft went on to seal three points for St. Johnstone with a goal six minutes later.

Dunfermline remains bottom on 19 points, while St. Johnstone improves to fourth place on 39 points.