Rangers stay just ahead of Celtic

Rangers will go into the New Year still a point clear of arch-rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League after a 1-0 win away to Kilmarnock.

But champions Celtic ensured Alex McLeish's men will still have reason to look nervously over their shoulders following a 1-0 victory at home to Dunfermline.

At Rugby Park, Peter Lovenkrands' goal was good denough to see Rangers return to winning ways after their shock defeat by struggling Motherwell on Thursday.

Meanwhile at Parkhead, Swedish scoring machine Henrik Larsson's 29th goal of the season wrapped up all three points for Celtic.

Rangers dominated the early exchanges against Killie but had to wait until the 24th to see their pressure rewarded.

Ronald de Boer's superb raking pass found Lovenkrands out on the left. The Dane took the Dutchman's through ball in his stride, cut into the box and shot powerfully low past Killie keeper Gordon Marshall.

Kilmarnock nearly levelled at the start of the second half when substitute Craig Dargo's pass sent in Andy McLaren whose shot was well blocked by Rangers' keeper Stefan Klos.

Argentine veteran Claudio Caniggia should have sealed victory in the 67th minute but the striker dragged his shot wide and 10 minutes later de Boer wasted another good chance when he headed over from close range.

A jaded Celtic, looking tired following their success in Europe this season with a UEFA Cup fourth round tie against VfB Stuttgart to look forward to, did just enough to beat Dunfermline.

Larsson struck with Celtic's first clear-cut chance of the game when, following good work by fellow strikers John Hartson and Chris Sutton after keeper Magnus Hedman's punt downfield, he clipped the ball past onrushing Dunfermline keeper Derek Stillie.

Both teams had subsequent chances to score but neither could find the net.

In other matches Sunday, Hearts beat Dundee 2-1, Hibernian were 2-0 winners over Aberdeen, Livingston got past Motherwell 1-0 while Dundee United's goalless draw away to Partick ensured they stayed bottom.

On January 2, Rangers welcome Dundee to Ibrox while Celtic travel to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen in the final round of matches before the SPL shuts down for its nearly month-long winter break.