Rangers secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Hearts thanks to a late header from Olwethu Makhanya on a highly anticipated return to Tynecastle for manager Derek McInnes, while Celtic were held to a similar scoreline at home by Dundee United.
Rangers Denied by Late Hearts Comeback
The Rangers manager faced loud boos from the home supporters as he walked out of the tunnel for his initial fixture back at the venue since departing for Ibrox in June, arriving only weeks after the Edinburgh club narrowly missed out on the Scottish Premiership title. His team initially quietened the energized home fans when Kevin Kelsy capitalized on an error by Laurent Mendy to open the scoring in the 16th minute.
Hearts managed to flip the match in their favor shortly after the break with strikes from Cláudio Braga and Calvin Miller. Nevertheless, Makhanya rescued a point for the visitors by heading home in the 89th minute, a result that leaves second-placed Rangers four points adrift of Celtic and holding a four-point advantage over Hearts.
Celtic Held and Other Premiership Action
Celtic demonstrated resilience by coming from behind to secure a 2-2 stalemate against Dundee United at Parkhead. Colombian forward Camilo Durán opened the scoring for Martin O’Neill’s side in the 18th minute, marking his 11th goal of the campaign. Australian forward Zac Sapsford equalized with a header in the 28th minute, before defender Neil Farrugia handed the visitors the lead three minutes later with his maiden goal for the club.
Celtic pressed aggressively after the interval, with defender Liam Scales leveling the score through a header in the 64th minute, as reported by Sport | The Guardian. O’Neill expressed frustration over failing to secure a home victory while acknowledging the team’s recent difficulties, noting that his side pushed for a win but nearly succumbed on the counter-attack against a dangerous Dundee United outfit.
Elsewhere in the league, Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson acknowledged his team’s performance fell short in a 1-0 loss to Falkirk following a 73rd-minute winner from substitute Ben Brauhaus. Meanwhile, Ash Hay intensified pressure on Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann by netting a late brace in the 83rd minute and during stoppage time to seal a 3-1 victory for Dundee at Dens Park, following an earlier penalty from Joe Hugill.
Hibernian climbed off the foot of the standings by claiming a 1-1 draw away at St Mirren, granting Marink Reedijk his initial point as manager after Marko Ivezic’s opener was canceled out by a Jason Kerr own goal. Motherwell halted a six-match losing streak but failed to take all three points as Josh Campbell headed home in the 93rd minute to salvage a 2-2 draw for St Johnstone, neutralizing earlier goals from Ibrahim Said and Tawanda Maswanhise after Taylor Steven had initially put the hosts ahead.
