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ESPNsoccernet: Europe |
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Saturday, January 5, 2008
SPL: Captain Ferguson fires Rangers to summit
GLASGOW, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Rangers went top of the Scottish
Premier League with a 2-0 home win over Dundee United courtesy
of first-half goals from Steven Naismith and Barry Ferguson on
Saturday.
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They have 44 points from 19 games, while champions Celtic,
whose match against Motherwell was postponed following the death
last weekend of player Phil O'Donnell, are second with 43 from
20. Motherwell captain O'Donnell died from heart failure after
collapsing on the pitch.
Naismith put Rangers in front after nine minutes with a
downward header from Chris Burke's cross. Skipper Ferguson
headed home another Burke cross five minutes before the
interval.
Rangers could have added another goal but Kris Boyd's
penalty was saved in the final minute.
Ten-man Hearts drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock after having Calum
Elliot sent off in the 36th minute for his second bookable
offence.
Lithuanian Andrius Velicka equalised for the home side after
the first-half opener from Kilmarnock's Paul Di Giacomo.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle romped to a 3-0 win over Gretna
with Romanian striker Marius Niculae scoring twice. Struggling
St Mirren beat Hibernian 2-1 while Falkirk drew 0-0 with
Aberdeen despite having Scott Arfield sent off.