GLASGOW - Celtic maintained their three-point advantage in the Scottish Premier League with a convincing 3-0 win over Aberdeen.
The champions never looked back after Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's 14th-minute header, and goals from Aiden McGeady and Scott McDonald reinforced their superiority.
However, there was some concern for Gordon Strachan when goalkeeper Artur Boruc was ruled out just before kick-off with a foot injury, and it remains undetermined whether he will be fit to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Second-placed Rangers returned from the international break to keep the pressure on the leaders with a 3-1 win at Falkirk.
But they were made to battle all the way for victory as Falkirk threatened to equalise in the closing stages when Walter Smith's men led 2-1.
Carlos Cuellar and Jean-Claude Darcheville put the Glasgow side in front before Pedro Moutinho pulled a goal back, and it needed substitute Kris Boyd to make the points safe with an injury-time strike.
Hibernian rescued a point against Dundee United at Easter Road, drawing 2-2 after going two goals down in the second half.
David Robertson's double gave the visitors a commanding lead but the hosts showed great character to earn a draw.
Substitutes Abdessalam Benjelloun and Mickael Antoine-Curier, who scored from the penalty spot, levelled the score.
Motherwell's revival under Mark McGhee continued apace as they recorded an impressive 1-0 away win over Kilmarnock.
Skipper Phil O'Donnell was the goalscorer, with the aid of a deflection, but the hero was Ross McCormack who turned in an outstanding display which sapped the energy of the home team.
O'Donnell's goal came in the first minute of the second half, and was just reward for Motherwell's domination.
Inverness survived a spirited second-half showing from St Mirren in harsh conditions to clinch maximum points at the Caledonian Stadium, winning 1-0.
The victory moves Caley Thistle just a point behind the Paisley side.
The game's only goal came in the sixth minute, when a fine passing move ended with Roy McBain crossing for Don Cowie to volley past St Mirren goalkeeper Chris Smith.
Inverness defender Phil McGuire headed against his own post in the closing quarter of the game, before St Mirren's Will Haining was sent off.
