James Tavernier penalty strengthens Rangers position at the top

Captain James Tavernier’s second-half penalty rescued Rangers in their cinch Premiership struggle against a weakened Dundee United at Ibrox.

The Taysiders suffered from a Covid-19 outbreak in midweek and boss Thomas Courts put out a much-changed and youthful team but they turned in an impressive performance.

The Light Blues’ breakthrough came only when United defender Scott McMann used his hand to stop a cross inside his own box in the 71st minute with Tavernier firing in the spot-kick for a welcome 1-0 win.

The league leaders move seven points ahead of Celtic, who play Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday, albeit their Old Firm rivals now have a game in hand.

Boyhood Motherwell fan Dean Cornelius scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone.

The 20-year-old midfielder chested the ball down 20 yards out and volleyed into the bottom corner 17 minutes into his first Premiership start at Fir Park.

Kevin Van Veen doubled Motherwell’s lead 10 minutes after the interval with his fifth goal of the season.

The comfortable home victory moved Motherwell into fourth place in the table and kept St Johnstone on the bottom.

Hearts returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park. Substitute Jamie Walker scored the only goal of what was a tight affair.

Ayo Obileye headed in a deserved late equaliser for Livingston to earn them a point against Ross County. The defender found the net in the 89th minute to cancel out David Cancola’s sublime first-half opener for the visitors.