Celtic continued their relentless pursuit of the Scottish Premier League title with a narrow 1-0 win over Motherwell on Saturday that moves them 23 points clear at the top with nine games remaining.

With the chance to close in on Rangers in second place, visitors Motherwell started the match in determined fashion and frustrated their hosts for the majority of the match.

However, despite already holding a formidable lead over their Old Firm rivals, Celtic showed no signs of easing up and made the breakthrough in the 59th minute thanks to a superb finish from top scorer Gary Hooper.

Crisis-stricken Rangers, who were docked 10 points for entering administration earlier this month, play the first of two games in hand over the Hoops against Inverness on Sunday.

But there seems to be no stopping Celtic, who have won 17 in a row in the SPL, as they close in on their first title in four years and remain on course for a clean sweep of trophies this season.

Elsewhere, Dunfermline’s relegation worries worsened with a 3-1 defeat away to St Johnstone, while their nearest rivals, Hibernian, won 3-1 against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Dundee United leapfrogged Hearts into fifth place with a 2-0 win at Tynecastle, while Aberdeen and St Mirren drew 1-1.