Soccer: Rangers close gap on leaders Celtic to one point

GLASGOW - Rangers reduced Celtic's lead at the top of the Scottish premier soccer league to just a point with an emphatic 4-1 home win over Motherwell on Monday.

Second-placed Rangers have 49 points from 20 games and their Glasgow rivals, who beat Hearts 2-0 on Sunday, have 50. Hibernian moved into third on 36 points after their 4-1 win at Dundee United.

Rangers' Spanish forward Nacho Novo scored twice in the opening 15 minutes but Motherwell's Scott McDonald curled a magnificent strike into the top right corner just after the break.

Georgian striker Shota Arveladze made it 3-1 in front of 49,909 fans at Ibrox and substitute Steven Thompson sealed the win with four minutes remaining.

Manager Alex McLeish praised Novo's performance saying: "He had a great game. His energy is boundless and he snaps into tackles. He is a brilliant inspiration and example to his team mates."

Jason Scotland scored his first goal for Dundee United to put the club in front against Hibernian after seven minutes.

But Hibs were ahead on 22 minutes thanks to goals from Derek Riordan and Gary O'Connor. Alen Orman and Sam Morrow finished the scoring off after the break. The defeat sent United to the bottom of the table.

Kilmarnock ended their wretched run of five successive defeats with a 3-1 home victory against Dundee.

Australian striker Danny Invincibile opened the scoring and Simon Ford headed his first goal for the club. Dundee's John Sutton pulled one back within 60 seconds but Kris Boyd made the three points safe for Kilmarnock with eight minutes to play.

- REUTERS