Colak powers Rangers to victory over St Johnstone

GLASGOW: Antonio Colak scored for the third game in a row as Rangers overpowered St Johnstone 4-0 in the Scotish Premiership at Ibrox on Saturday.

Malik Tillman put the Glasgow giants, aiming to replace arch-rivals Celtic as champions, ahead with a close-range header in the 32nd minute.

Croatia striker Colak continued his scoring sequence, made it 2-0 with a 10-yard drive in the 62nd minute before late goals from substitutes Scot Arfield and Tom Lawrence put the result beyond doubt.

Rangers’ third victory at Ibrox in a week -- with three clean sheets -- was an ideal way for the club to prepare for the first leg of their Champions League play-off at home to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Ayo Obileye scored a late winner as Livingston defeated Hibernian 2-1 in an illtempered affair.

Joel Nouble’s excellent solo effort gave the Lions a sixth-minute lead.

In a fiery second half that saw both managers Davie Martindale and Lee Johnson booked, Nohan Kenneh equalised in the 51st minute before Obilelye headed home the winner four minutes from time.

Motherwell edged out Aberdeen 3-2 in a seesaw game at Pitodrie.

The visitors, who announced Steven Hammell as their new permanent manager in midweek, led through Blair Spital, but the Dons fought back thanks to goals either side of the break from Bojan Miovski and Jonny Hayes.

But Callum Slatery scored from close range to draw level and Kevin van Veen added a third to put Well back in front just 10 minutes ater the restart.

St Mirren secured their first league points of the season with a 1-0 win over a Ross County side that suffered a third successive defeat, with Richard Tait’s superb 20-yard strike early in the second half the difference between the teams.

Celtic are at Kilmarnock on Sunday, as Hearts face Dundee.